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Giant killifish (Fundulus grandissimus) — Fundulidae

Giant killifish

Fundulus grandissimus
Family: Fundulidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Giant killifish (Fundulus grandissimus) is a freshwater fish of the family Fundulidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The giant killifish is a large killifish endemic to fresh and brackish water of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The species grows to about 20 cm, making it one of the largest killifishes; it has a stocky, silvery body. Unlike many relatives this is not a seasonal killifish. It lives in coastal lagoons, pools and cenotes and feeds on small invertebrates and plant matter. Owing to its restricted range it is listed as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Giant killifish?

The Giant killifish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Giant killifish live?

The Giant killifish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Giant killifish get?

The Giant killifish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Giant killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Giant killifish is harmless to humans.

Is the Giant killifish edible?

The Giant killifish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Reuzen-killivis verified
English name
Giant killifish verified
Scientific name
Fundulus grandissimus
Family
Fundulidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey 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
Mixed bottom sourced
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
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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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