Home · Rivulidae · Sepia killifish
Sepia killifish (Kryptolebias sepia) — Rivulidae

Sepia killifish

Kryptolebias sepia
Family: Rivulidae

The Sepia killifish (Kryptolebias sepia) 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: Suriname

Want the complete picture on the Sepia killifish?

Get the app

Description

The sepia killifish is a small killifish (Rivulidae) from shallow forest streams, pools and swamps of the Guianas in South America. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, cylindrical, dark sepia-brown body. As a bottom-oriented fish of calm, often oxygen-poor water it snaps at insects, larvae and small invertebrates; in drought it can briefly move across moist ground. Relatives of this genus can self-fertilise. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sepia killifish?

The Sepia killifish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Sepia killifish live?

The Sepia killifish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. South America: Suriname

How big does the Sepia killifish get?

The Sepia killifish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Sepia killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Sepia killifish 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.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Sepia killifish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Sepia killifish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Sepia killifish sourced
Scientific name
Kryptolebias sepia
Family
Rivulidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.5 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
Natural range
South America: Suriname 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 inferred
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 Kryptolebias

More from the family Rivulidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Sepia killifish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Sepia killifish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Sepia killifish? Get the app