Home · Poeciliidae · Shadow toothcarp
Shadow toothcarp (Xenophallus umbratilis) — Poeciliidae

Shadow toothcarp

Xenophallus umbratilis
Family: Poeciliidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Shadow toothcarp (Xenophallus umbratilis) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
10.0–20.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The shadow toothcarp is a small livebearer endemic to fresh water of Costa Rica in Central America. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, olive-brown body; males, like other livebearers, have an anal fin modified into a mating organ (gonopodium). It lives in calm, often shaded streams and pools and feeds on small animal and plant matter. Females give birth to live young. The fish is harmless to humans and has not been evaluated by the IUCN (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Shadow toothcarp?

The Shadow toothcarp has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Shadow toothcarp live?

The Shadow toothcarp lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Shadow toothcarp get?

The Shadow toothcarp grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Shadow toothcarp dangerous to humans?

No, the Shadow toothcarp is harmless to humans.

Is the Shadow toothcarp edible?

The Shadow toothcarp is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Schaduw-tandkarper verified
English name
Shadow toothcarp verified
Scientific name
Xenophallus umbratilis
Family
Poeciliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain 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

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Poeciliidae

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