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Isthmian priapella (Priapella intermedia) — Poeciliidae

Isthmian priapella

Priapella intermedia
Family: Poeciliidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Isthmian priapella (Priapella intermedia) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southern Mexico
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Isthmian priapella is a small livebearing fish from fresh water of southern Mexico. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, silvery body with strikingly light-blue shining eyes. It schools near the surface of clear, flowing streams and mainly catches insects that fall onto the water. Like other livebearers the female gives birth to live young. The fish is harmless to humans and appears in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Isthmian priapella?

The Isthmian priapella has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Pale blue shining eyes; ovoviviparous small surface fish

Where does the Isthmian priapella live?

The Isthmian priapella lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Southern Mexico

How big does the Isthmian priapella get?

The Isthmian priapella grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Isthmian priapella dangerous to humans?

No, the Isthmian priapella 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.

Is the Isthmian priapella edible?

The Isthmian priapella is not usually eaten.

More photos

Isthmian priapella (Priapella intermedia) — Poeciliidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Fiver, der Hellseher (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Isthmian priapella (Priapella intermedia) — Poeciliidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Dbr (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Isthmian priapella verified
Scientific name
Priapella intermedia
Family
Poeciliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Southern Mexico verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects from the water surface inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Ovoviviparous stream surface fish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Pale blue shining eyes; ovoviviparous small surface fish 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
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 Priapella

More from the family Poeciliidae

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