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Salt Creek pupfish (Cyprinodon salinus) — Cyprinodontidae

Salt Creek pupfish

Cyprinodon salinus
VU · Vulnerable

The Salt Creek pupfish (Cyprinodon salinus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Cyprinodontidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.8 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: USA
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Salt Creek pupfish is a small pupfish (Cyprinodontidae) from the salt marshes of Death Valley in California, where it is endemic. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a stocky body; males turn bluish in courtship, females are duller. Due to its very restricted range the species is vulnerable. It tolerates strongly fluctuating temperature and salinity and eats algae, small invertebrates and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Salt Creek pupfish?

The Salt Creek pupfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Salt Creek pupfish live?

The Salt Creek pupfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. North America: USA

How big does the Salt Creek pupfish get?

The Salt Creek pupfish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Salt Creek pupfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Salt Creek pupfish 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.

Is the Salt Creek pupfish edible?

Yes, the Salt Creek pupfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Salt Creek pupfish (Cyprinodon salinus) — Cyprinodontidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — National Park Service (Public domain)
Salt Creek pupfish (Cyprinodon salinus) — Cyprinodontidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — NPS (Public domain)
Salt Creek pupfish (Cyprinodon salinus) — Cyprinodontidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Michael Hawk, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Salt Creek pupfish (Cyprinodon salinus) — Cyprinodontidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) James Bailey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Salt Creek pupfish sourced
Scientific name
Cyprinodon salinus
Family
Cyprinodontidae
Other names
Cottonball marsh pupfish; Cottonball pupfish; Salt Creek pupfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.8 verified
Average length (cm)
3.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom 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
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 Cyprinodon

More from the family Cyprinodontidae

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