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Painted pearlfish (Hypsolebias picturatus) — Rivulidae

Painted pearlfish

Hypsolebias picturatus
Family: Rivulidae

The Painted pearlfish (Hypsolebias picturatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Rivulidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Painted pearlfish is an annual killifish (Rivulidae) from temporary pools and swamps of northeastern Brazil. The species grows to about 6 cm; the male is brightly coloured with blue, red and yellow spots and marbled fins. When the pools dry up in the dry season the adults die, but their eggs survive in the soil and hatch after the next rains. It eats small invertebrates and insect larvae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Painted pearlfish?

The Painted pearlfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Painted pearlfish live?

The Painted pearlfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Painted pearlfish get?

The Painted pearlfish grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Painted pearlfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Painted pearlfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geschilderde parelkillivis sourced
English name
Painted pearlfish sourced
Scientific name
Hypsolebias picturatus
Family
Rivulidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.2 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hypsolebias

More from the family Rivulidae

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