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Slender mirror livebearer (Priapella compressa) — Poeciliidae

Slender mirror livebearer

Priapella compressa
Family: Poeciliidae

The Slender mirror livebearer (Priapella compressa) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Mexico
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Slender mirror livebearer is a livebearing toothcarp (Poeciliidae) from fresh water of southern Mexico. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a superior mouth to feed at the surface. The male fertilises the female internally with an anal fin modified into a gonopodium, after which live young are born. As a social fish it swims in schools at the surface of clear streams and pools and eats mosquito larvae, small invertebrates and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender mirror livebearer?

The Slender mirror livebearer has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Slender mirror livebearer live?

The Slender mirror livebearer lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. North America: Mexico

How big does the Slender mirror livebearer get?

The Slender mirror livebearer grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Slender mirror livebearer dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender mirror livebearer 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 Slender mirror livebearer edible?

Yes, the Slender mirror livebearer is commonly eaten.

More photos

Slender mirror livebearer (Priapella compressa) — Poeciliidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) León Felipe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Slender mirror livebearer sourced
Scientific name
Priapella compressa
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Palenque priapella sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
North America: Mexico sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
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 Priapella

More from the family Poeciliidae

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