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Pecos gambusia (Gambusia nobilis) — Poeciliidae

Pecos gambusia

Gambusia nobilis
Family: Poeciliidae

The Pecos gambusia (Gambusia nobilis) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: USA

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Description

The Pecos gambusia is a mosquitofish (Poeciliidae) from shallow, often still fresh and brackish water of the springs of the Pecos region in the southwestern United States. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a stocky, silver-grey body with a superior mouth. The male fertilises the female internally with an anal fin modified into a gonopodium, after which live young are born. As a surface fish it eagerly eats mosquito larvae, small invertebrates and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pecos gambusia?

The Pecos gambusia has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Pecos gambusia live?

The Pecos gambusia lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. North America: USA

How big does the Pecos gambusia get?

The Pecos gambusia grows to a maximum of about 5 cm. On average the species is around 3 cm.

Is the Pecos gambusia dangerous to humans?

No, the Pecos gambusia 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

Pecos gambusia (Gambusia nobilis) — Poeciliidae — 2
Illinois Natural History Survey - Fish Collection (INHS-FISH) (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — INHS
Pecos gambusia (Gambusia nobilis) — Poeciliidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation (Public domain)
Pecos gambusia (Gambusia nobilis) — Poeciliidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Andrew Cannizzaro (CC BY 3.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Pecos gambusia sourced
Scientific name
Gambusia nobilis
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Pecos gambusia verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.8 verified
Average length (cm)
3.2 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
North America: USA sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal 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

Same genus Gambusia

More from the family Poeciliidae

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