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Cuban Gambusia (Gambusia punctata) — Poeciliidae

Cuban Gambusia

Gambusia punctata
Family: Poeciliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cuban Gambusia (Gambusia punctata) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Cuban gambusia is a small livebearing fish of the family Poeciliidae, endemic to Cuba. The species reaches only about 5 cm and has a stocky little body with an upward-pointing mouth for foraging at the surface. It inhabits freshwater ponds, lakes and streams and prefers stagnant or slow-flowing water, though it can also occur in mountain streams up to about 600 metres elevation. In schools close to the shore it eats mosquito larvae and other small invertebrates. Females give birth to live young. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cuban Gambusia?

The Cuban Gambusia has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Cuban Gambusia live?

The Cuban Gambusia lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Cuban Gambusia get?

The Cuban Gambusia grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Cuban Gambusia dangerous to humans?

No, the Cuban Gambusia is harmless to humans.

Is the Cuban Gambusia edible?

The Cuban Gambusia is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Cubaanse gambusia sourced
English name
Cuban Gambusia verified
Scientific name
Gambusia punctata
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Cuban gambusia verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.8 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

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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