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Killifish (Fundulus confluentus) — Fundulidae

Killifish

Fundulus confluentus
Family: Fundulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Killifish (Fundulus confluentus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Fundulidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0.0–? m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The marsh killifish is a small killifish of the brackish coastal marshes of the eastern United States. The species reaches about 8 cm and shows clear sexual dimorphism: males are dark green with pearly spots, females olive-brown with black dots and narrow bars. It lives in shallow fresh and brackish water and is an omnivore that eats small fishes, insects, crustaceans, worms, molluscs and plant matter. The eggs can survive out of water for long periods, making the species resistant to drying marshes. The fish is harmless to humans, is not eaten and is only of interest to the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Killifish?

The Killifish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly green and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Killifish live?

The Killifish lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Killifish get?

The Killifish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Killifish is harmless to humans.

Is the Killifish edible?

The Killifish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Moeraskilli sourced
English name
Killifish verified
Scientific name
Fundulus confluentus
Family
Fundulidae
Other names
Marsh killifish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded sourced
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

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

Same genus Fundulus

More from the family Fundulidae

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