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Pahrump poolfish (Empetrichthys latos) — Goodeidae

Pahrump poolfish

Empetrichthys latos
Family: Goodeidae
CR · Critically Endangered

The Pahrump poolfish (Empetrichthys latos) is a freshwater fish of the family Goodeidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: USA

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Description

The Pahrump poolfish is a small egg-laying killifish (Goodeidae) that was native only to spring pools of the Pahrump Valley in Nevada, in the western United States. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a stocky, olive-grey body without pelvic fins. Through the drying of its springs the original population went extinct; the species survives thanks to translocated refuge populations and is critically endangered. It eats algae, small invertebrates and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pahrump poolfish?

The Pahrump poolfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Pahrump poolfish live?

The Pahrump poolfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: USA

How big does the Pahrump poolfish get?

The Pahrump poolfish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Pahrump poolfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Pahrump poolfish 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.

More photos

Pahrump poolfish (Empetrichthys latos) — Goodeidae — 2
mikeburchett (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Pahrump poolfish (Empetrichthys latos) — Goodeidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — USFWS (Public domain)
Pahrump poolfish (Empetrichthys latos) — Goodeidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Josh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Pahrump poolfish (Empetrichthys latos) — Goodeidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Maxfield Marley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Pahrump poolfish sourced
Scientific name
Empetrichthys latos
Family
Goodeidae
Other names
Pahrump poolfish; Pahrump Ranch poolfish; Pahrump ranch poolfish; Raycraft poolfish; Raycraft Ranch poolfish; Pahrump killifish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
North America: USA sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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 Goodeidae

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