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Domingo gambusia (Gambusia dominicensis) — Poeciliidae

Domingo gambusia

Gambusia dominicensis
Family: Poeciliidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Domingo gambusia (Gambusia dominicensis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Dominican gambusia is a small livebearing toothcarp native to Hispaniola, in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Males stay around 2.5 cm, much smaller than the females that reach up to 6 cm. The species has an inconspicuous silver-grey body with an upturned mouth for surface feeding. It lives in fresh and brackish water and eats mainly mosquito larvae and small invertebrates; for that reason it has been introduced elsewhere, such as in Australia, for mosquito control. As a livebearer the female gives birth to live young. Owing to insufficient data the IUCN lists the species as Data Deficient (DD).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Domingo gambusia?

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

Where does the Domingo gambusia live?

The Domingo gambusia lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Domingo gambusia get?

The Domingo gambusia grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Domingo gambusia dangerous to humans?

No, the Domingo gambusia is harmless to humans.

Is the Domingo gambusia edible?

The Domingo gambusia is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dominicaanse gambusia verified
English name
Domingo gambusia verified
Scientific name
Gambusia dominicensis
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Domingo mosquito fish; Dominican gambusia verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
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 Gambusia

More from the family Poeciliidae

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