Home · Rivulidae · Llanos killifish
Llanos killifish (Llanolebias stellifer) — Rivulidae

Llanos killifish

Llanolebias stellifer
Family: Rivulidae

The Llanos killifish (Llanolebias stellifer) is a freshwater fish of the family Rivulidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Venezuela

Want the complete picture on the Llanos killifish?

Get the app

Description

The Llanos killifish is an annual killifish (Rivulidae) from temporary pools and swamps of the Llanos savanna in Venezuela in South America. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a slender body; the male is brightly coloured with spots. 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 Llanos killifish?

The Llanos killifish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Llanos killifish live?

The Llanos killifish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. South America: Venezuela

How big does the Llanos killifish get?

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

Is the Llanos killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Llanos killifish 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 Llanos killifish?

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

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Llanos killifish sourced
Scientific name
Llanolebias stellifer
Family
Rivulidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
South America: Venezuela 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 inferred
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

More from the family Rivulidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Llanos killifish?

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

Get the app →
Is this the Llanos killifish? Get the app