Home · Cyprinodontidae · Tschudi's Andean pupfish
Tschudi's Andean pupfish (Orestias tschudii) — Cyprinodontidae

Tschudi's Andean pupfish

Orestias tschudii

The Tschudi's Andean pupfish (Orestias tschudii) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinodontidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

Tschudi's Andean pupfish is a pupfish from the Lake Titicaca basin in the Andes of Peru and Bolivia. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate body lacking pelvic fins, characteristic of the Andean pupfishes. It lives in cold, clear highland water and feeds on small zooplankton, insect larvae and invertebrates. It is a local food fish. The fish is harmless to humans; through introduced fish and fishing the Titicaca species are under pressure.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tschudi's Andean pupfish?

The Tschudi's Andean pupfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Tschudi's Andean pupfish live?

The Tschudi's Andean pupfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Tschudi's Andean pupfish get?

The Tschudi's Andean pupfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Tschudi's Andean pupfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Tschudi's Andean pupfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Tschudi's Andean pupfish edible?

Yes, the Tschudi's Andean pupfish is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tschudis altiplano-karpertje verified
English name
Tschudi's Andean pupfish verified
Scientific name
Orestias tschudii
Family
Cyprinodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) 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
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Orestias

More from the family Cyprinodontidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →