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Tellia toothcarp (Aphanius apodus) — Cyprinodontidae

Tellia toothcarp

Aphanius apodus

The Tellia toothcarp (Aphanius apodus) is a fish of the family Cyprinodontidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northwest Africa
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Tellia toothcarp is a small egg-laying killifish from fresh and brackish water of the Maghreb region of northwest Africa. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a stocky body; males are dark with pale crossbars, females greyish and spotted. It lives in springs, brooks and oasis waters and eats algae, small invertebrate life and detritus. Its restricted range and water use make it vulnerable. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tellia toothcarp?

The Tellia toothcarp is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Small toothcarp with sexual colour difference; inhabitant of oases

Where does the Tellia toothcarp live?

The Tellia toothcarp is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northwest Africa

How big does the Tellia toothcarp get?

The Tellia toothcarp grows to a maximum of about 5 cm. On average the species is around 3 cm.

Is the Tellia toothcarp dangerous to humans?

No, the Tellia toothcarp 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 Tellia toothcarp edible?

The Tellia toothcarp is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Tellia toothcarp sourced
Scientific name
Aphanius apodus
Family
Cyprinodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Average length (cm)
3.0 sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Northwest Africa sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, small invertebrate life and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Spring and oasis fish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Small toothcarp with sexual colour difference; inhabitant of oases sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable 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 Aphanius

More from the family Cyprinodontidae

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