Home · Rivulidae · Isthmian killi
Isthmian killi (Cynodonichthys isthmensis) — Rivulidae

Isthmian killi

Cynodonichthys isthmensis
Family: Rivulidae

The Isthmian killi (Cynodonichthys isthmensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Rivulidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Costa Rica, Nicaragua

Want the complete picture on the Isthmian killi?

Get the app

Description

The Isthmian killi is a small egg-laying killifish (Rivulidae) from shallow, slow-flowing fresh water of Central America. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, elongate body; males are brown with rows of red and blue spots, females plainer. As a surface fish it lives among floating plants and leaf litter of streams and swamps and snaps at small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Isthmian killi?

The Isthmian killi has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Isthmian killi live?

The Isthmian killi lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. North America: Costa Rica, Nicaragua

How big does the Isthmian killi get?

The Isthmian killi grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Isthmian killi dangerous to humans?

No, the Isthmian killi is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Isthmian killi?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Isthmian killi is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Isthmian killi sourced
Scientific name
Cynodonichthys isthmensis
Family
Rivulidae
Other names
Isthmian rivulus sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
North America: Costa Rica, Nicaragua sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Cynodonichthys

More from the family Rivulidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Isthmian killi?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Isthmian killi is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Isthmian killi? Get the app