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Cascajal livebearer (Brachyrhaphis cascajalensis) — Poeciliidae

Cascajal livebearer

Brachyrhaphis cascajalensis
Family: Poeciliidae

The Cascajal livebearer (Brachyrhaphis cascajalensis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Cascajal livebearer is a livebearing toothcarp (Poeciliidae) from clear streams and rivers of Panama in Central America. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a stocky, silvery body with fine markings; males are smaller and more brightly coloured. The male fertilises the female internally with an anal fin modified into a gonopodium, after which live young are born. As a social fish it snaps at mosquito larvae, small invertebrates and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cascajal livebearer?

The Cascajal livebearer has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Cascajal livebearer live?

The Cascajal livebearer lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Cascajal livebearer get?

The Cascajal livebearer grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Cascajal livebearer dangerous to humans?

No, the Cascajal livebearer is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Cascajal-tandkarper sourced
English name
Cascajal livebearer sourced
Scientific name
Brachyrhaphis cascajalensis
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Cascajal toothcarp sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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