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Cuba silverside (Alepidomus evermanni) — Atherinidae

Cuba silverside

Alepidomus evermanni
Family: Atherinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cuba silverside (Alepidomus evermanni) is a freshwater fish of the family Atherinidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Cuba silverside is a very small silverside fish endemic to fresh water in western Cuba. It grows to only about 3.3 cm and has a slender, translucent silvery body characteristic of silversides, with two short dorsal fins. The fish lives in schools in still and slow-flowing fresh water and feeds on small zooplankton. It is an inconspicuous little species of no fisheries value. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cuba silverside?

The Cuba silverside has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Cuba silverside live?

The Cuba silverside lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Cuba silverside get?

The Cuba silverside grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Cuba silverside dangerous to humans?

No, the Cuba silverside is harmless to humans.

Is the Cuba silverside edible?

The Cuba silverside is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Cubaanse koornaarvis verified
English name
Cuba silverside verified
Scientific name
Alepidomus evermanni
Family
Atherinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.3 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No 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 Atherinidae

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