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American Flagfish (Jordanella floridae) — Cyprinodontidae

American Flagfish

Jordanella floridae
LC · Least Concern

The American Flagfish (Jordanella floridae) is a brackish-water fish of the family Cyprinodontidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The American flagfish is a small egg-laying fish of the family Cyprinodontidae, endemic to Florida. The male is brightly coloured with alternating green and red longitudinal rows of spots and a dark side blotch, a pattern reminiscent of a flag; females are duller. The fish grows to only about 6 cm and inhabits vegetated sloughs, ponds, lakes and sluggish streams, and also enters brackish water. It is an omnivore eating worms, crustaceans, insects, algae and plant matter. The male guards the eggs. The species is widely kept as an aquarium fish and is not a seasonal killifish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the American Flagfish?

The American Flagfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the American Flagfish live?

The American Flagfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the American Flagfish get?

The American Flagfish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the American Flagfish dangerous to humans?

No, the American Flagfish is harmless to humans.

Is the American Flagfish edible?

The American Flagfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blokvis sourced
English name
American Flagfish verified
Scientific name
Jordanella floridae
Family
Cyprinodontidae
Other names
Flagfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes 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

More from the family Cyprinodontidae

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