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January toothcarp (Phalloptychus januarius) — Poeciliidae

January toothcarp

Phalloptychus januarius
Family: Poeciliidae

The January toothcarp (Phalloptychus januarius) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The January toothcarp is a tiny livebearing toothcarp (Poeciliidae) from fresh water of coastal rivers of southeastern Brazil. The species grows to only about 3 cm and has a slender, yellow-brown body. As a surface fish it lives in streams, pools and ditches and eats mosquito larvae, small invertebrate life and algae. The female gives birth to live young. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the January toothcarp?

The January toothcarp has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the January toothcarp live?

The January toothcarp lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the January toothcarp get?

The January toothcarp grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the January toothcarp dangerous to humans?

No, the January toothcarp is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Januari-tandkarper sourced
English name
January toothcarp sourced
Scientific name
Phalloptychus januarius
Family
Poeciliidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Poeciliidae

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