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Santos killi (Atlantirivulus santensis) — Rivulidae

Santos killi

Atlantirivulus santensis
Family: Rivulidae

The Santos killi (Atlantirivulus santensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Rivulidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil

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Description

The Santos killi is a small egg-laying killifish (Rivulidae) from shallow, slow-flowing fresh water of the coastal region of southeastern Brazil. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, elongate body; males are brown with rows of red spots and colourful fin margins, females plainer. As a surface fish it lives among floating plants and leaf litter of streams and swamps and snaps at small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Santos killi?

The Santos killi has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Santos killi live?

The Santos killi lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. South America: Brazil

How big does the Santos killi get?

The Santos killi grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Santos killi dangerous to humans?

No, the Santos killi 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

Santos killi (Atlantirivulus santensis) — Rivulidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) levilima, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Santos killi sourced
Scientific name
Atlantirivulus santensis
Family
Rivulidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
South America: Brazil sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates 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

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 Atlantirivulus

More from the family Rivulidae

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