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Onesided livebearer (Jenynsia lineata) — Anablepidae

Onesided livebearer

Jenynsia lineata
Family: Anablepidae
LC · Least Concern

The Onesided livebearer (Jenynsia lineata) is a brackish-water fish of the family Anablepidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.7 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southeastern South America
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The onesided livebearer is a small livebearer from southeastern South America, in fresh and brackish water of Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender, silvery body, sometimes with a row of spots. The name refers to its peculiar reproduction: at mating the male organ can move only to the left or right and fits only females with the opposite orientation. Females give birth to live young. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Onesided livebearer?

The Onesided livebearer has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Ovoviviparous; left- or right-handed mating anatomy (one-sided)

Where does the Onesided livebearer live?

The Onesided livebearer lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Southeastern South America

How big does the Onesided livebearer get?

The Onesided livebearer grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Onesided livebearer dangerous to humans?

No, the Onesided livebearer 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 Onesided livebearer edible?

The Onesided livebearer is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Onesided livebearer verified
Scientific name
Jenynsia lineata
Family
Anablepidae
Other names
Onesided livebearer; Overito; Rio de la Plata onesided livebearer verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Southeastern South America verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Ovoviviparous fresh- and brackish-water fish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Ovoviviparous; left- or right-handed mating anatomy (one-sided) 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 Jenynsia

More from the family Anablepidae

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