Home · Bythitidae · Blind cave brotula
Blind cave brotula (Typhliasina pearsei) — Bythitidae

Blind cave brotula

Typhliasina pearsei
Family: Bythitidae

The Blind cave brotula (Typhliasina pearsei) is a freshwater fish of the family Bythitidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0.0–70.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Mexico

Want the complete picture on the Blind cave brotula?

Get the app

Description

The blind cave brotula is a livebearing brotula (Bythitidae) endemic to underground waters, cenotes and caves of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a pale, almost white, unpigmented body without functional eyes and a continuous fin margin. In complete darkness it detects small invertebrates with sensitive senses. Unlike many fish it gives birth to live young. Through its very restricted range the species is vulnerable. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blind cave brotula?

The Blind cave brotula has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly white.

Where does the Blind cave brotula live?

The Blind cave brotula lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Mexico

How big does the Blind cave brotula get?

The Blind cave brotula grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Blind cave brotula dangerous to humans?

No, the Blind cave brotula 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.

More photos

Blind cave brotula (Typhliasina pearsei) — Bythitidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Hectonichus (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Blind cave brotula (Typhliasina pearsei) — Bythitidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Put30 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Blind cave brotula (Typhliasina pearsei) — Bythitidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Erick Sosa R., some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blind cave brotula (Typhliasina pearsei) — Bythitidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Christine Loew, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Blind cave brotula?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Blind cave brotula is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Blind cave brotula sourced
Scientific name
Typhliasina pearsei
Family
Bythitidae
Other names
Mexican blind brotula; Dama Ciega Blanca verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
70.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Mexico sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
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

More from the family Bythitidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Blind cave brotula?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Blind cave brotula is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Blind cave brotula? Get the app