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Terraba toothcarp (Brachyrhaphis terrabensis) — Poeciliidae

Terraba toothcarp

Brachyrhaphis terrabensis
Family: Poeciliidae

The Terraba toothcarp (Brachyrhaphis terrabensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Costa Rica, Panama

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Description

The Terraba toothcarp is a small livebearing toothcarp (Poeciliidae) from fresh water of Costa Rica and Panama in Central America. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a stocky, yellow-brown body; males are smaller with more conspicuous fins. As a surface fish it lives in clear streams and rivers and eats mosquito larvae, small insects and algae. The female gives birth to live young. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Terraba toothcarp?

The Terraba toothcarp has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Terraba toothcarp live?

The Terraba toothcarp lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. North America: Costa Rica, Panama

How big does the Terraba toothcarp get?

The Terraba toothcarp grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Terraba toothcarp dangerous to humans?

No, the Terraba 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Terraba toothcarp sourced
Scientific name
Brachyrhaphis terrabensis
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Térraba toothcarp sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 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
North America: Costa Rica, Panama sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal 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 Brachyrhaphis

More from the family Poeciliidae

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