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Picotee livebearer (Phallichthys fairweatheri) — Poeciliidae

Picotee livebearer

Phallichthys fairweatheri
Family: Poeciliidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Picotee livebearer (Phallichthys fairweatheri) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The picotee livebearer is a small livebearing toothcarp of the family Poeciliidae from Central America, including the Yucatan Peninsula. The species grows to only about 4 cm; females are larger than the males, which have a long rod-like gonopodium. It inhabits densely vegetated, slow-flowing and standing waters. As an omnivore it feeds on small zooplankton, insect larvae, algae and detritus. Like other livebearers the female gives birth to live young after internal fertilisation. Owing to limited data the species is assessed as Data Deficient (DD). Owing to its small size it is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Picotee livebearer?

The Picotee livebearer has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Picotee livebearer live?

The Picotee livebearer lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Picotee livebearer get?

The Picotee livebearer grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Picotee livebearer dangerous to humans?

No, the Picotee livebearer is harmless to humans.

Is the Picotee livebearer edible?

The Picotee livebearer is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Picotee-levendbarende sourced
English name
Picotee livebearer verified
Scientific name
Phallichthys fairweatheri
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Picotee livebearer verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Phallichthys

More from the family Poeciliidae

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