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Goldspotted killifish (Floridichthys carpio) — Cyprinodontidae

Goldspotted killifish

Floridichthys carpio
LC · Least Concern

The Goldspotted killifish (Floridichthys carpio) is a brackish-water fish of the family Cyprinodontidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Florida and the northern Gulf of Mexico; tidal flats and coastal creeks.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The goldspotted killifish is a small fish of the family Cyprinodontidae from Florida and the northern Gulf of Mexico. The species has a stocky body reaching about 8 cm; males bear shining gold-coloured spots on the flanks. It lives mainly on saline tidal flats and creeks but also enters brackish water, making it strongly salt-tolerant. The diet consists of detritus, algae and small invertebrates. The species is not a seasonal killifish and is difficult to keep in an aquarium. Because of its small size it is not eaten, but is sometimes used as bait.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Goldspotted killifish?

The Goldspotted killifish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a spots pattern. Males with shiny golden blotches; highly salt-tolerant; not a seasonal killifish.

Where does the Goldspotted killifish live?

The Goldspotted killifish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Florida and the northern Gulf of Mexico; tidal flats and coastal creeks.

How big does the Goldspotted killifish get?

The Goldspotted killifish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Goldspotted killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Goldspotted killifish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Goldspotted killifish edible?

The Goldspotted killifish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Goldspotted killifish (Floridichthys carpio) — Cyprinodontidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Zachary Lang, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Goldspotted killifish (Floridichthys carpio) — Cyprinodontidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Matt Muir (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Goldspotted killifish (Floridichthys carpio) — Cyprinodontidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Nick Tobler (Cowturtle) (CC BY 4.0)
Goldspotted killifish (Floridichthys carpio) — Cyprinodontidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Nick Tobler (Cowturtle) (CC BY 4.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Goldspotted killifish verified
Scientific name
Floridichthys carpio
Family
Cyprinodontidae
Other names
Goldspotted killifish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Florida and the northern Gulf of Mexico; tidal flats and coastal creeks. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Detritus, algae and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Males with shiny golden blotches; highly salt-tolerant; not a seasonal killifish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Floridichthys

More from the family Cyprinodontidae

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