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La Palma pupfish (Cyprinodon longidorsalis) — Cyprinodontidae

La Palma pupfish

Cyprinodon longidorsalis
CR · Critically Endangered

The La Palma pupfish (Cyprinodon longidorsalis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinodontidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Mexico
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The La Palma pupfish is a small pupfish (Cyprinodontidae) from shallow, often warm or saline fresh water of a single spring in northeastern Mexico; extinct in the wild. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a stocky body; courting males colour bluish, females are brownish with spots. It grazes algae and biofilm and snaps at small invertebrates. Through its extremely limited, vulnerable habitat the species is threatened. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the La Palma pupfish?

The La Palma pupfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly blue.

Where does the La Palma pupfish live?

The La Palma pupfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. North America: Mexico

How big does the La Palma pupfish get?

The La Palma pupfish grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the La Palma pupfish dangerous to humans?

No, the La Palma pupfish 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 La Palma pupfish edible?

Yes, the La Palma pupfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

La Palma pupfish (Cyprinodon longidorsalis) — Cyprinodontidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) saraalien1, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
La Palma pupfish sourced
Scientific name
Cyprinodon longidorsalis
Family
Cyprinodontidae
Other names
La Palma pupfish; Cachorrito de Charco Palmal verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.1 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
North America: Mexico sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 Cyprinodon

More from the family Cyprinodontidae

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