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Cauca molly (Poecilia caucana) — Poeciliidae

Cauca molly

Poecilia caucana
Family: Poeciliidae

The Cauca molly (Poecilia caucana) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Cauca molly is a small livebearing toothcarp (Poeciliidae) from fresh and brackish water of northern South America and Central America. The species grows to about 3 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a few rows of spots; males bear a yellow-edged dorsal fin. It lives in schools in slow streams, pools and estuaries and eats algae, small invertebrate life and detritus. The female gives birth to live young. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cauca molly?

The Cauca molly has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Cauca molly live?

The Cauca molly lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Cauca molly get?

The Cauca molly grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Cauca molly dangerous to humans?

No, the Cauca molly is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Cauca-molly sourced
English name
Cauca molly sourced
Scientific name
Poecilia caucana
Family
Poeciliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

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

Same genus Poecilia

More from the family Poeciliidae

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