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Dwarf pearlfish (Notholebias minimus) — Rivulidae

Dwarf pearlfish

Notholebias minimus
Family: Rivulidae

The Dwarf pearlfish (Notholebias minimus) is a freshwater fish of the family Rivulidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The dwarf pearlfish is an annual killifish (Rivulidae) from temporary coastal pools and swamps of southeastern Brazil in South America. The species grows to only about 3 cm; the male is brightly coloured with red and blue tints and a pearled pattern. When the pools dry up the adults die, but their eggs survive in the soil and hatch after the rains. It eats small invertebrates and insect larvae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf pearlfish?

The Dwarf pearlfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly multicoloured.

Where does the Dwarf pearlfish live?

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

How big does the Dwarf pearlfish get?

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

Is the Dwarf pearlfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf pearlfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dwerg-parelkillivis sourced
English name
Dwarf pearlfish sourced
Scientific name
Notholebias minimus
Family
Rivulidae
Other names
Barredtail pearlfish; Least pearlfish; Minute pearlfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured 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

More from the family Rivulidae

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