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Sepia killifish (Kryptolebias sepia) — Rivulidae

Sepia killifish

Kryptolebias sepia
Family: Rivulidae

The Sepia killifish (Kryptolebias sepia) is a freshwater fish of the family Rivulidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The sepia killifish is a small killifish (Rivulidae) from shallow forest streams, pools and swamps of the Guianas in South America. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, cylindrical, dark sepia-brown body. As a bottom-oriented fish of calm, often oxygen-poor water it snaps at insects, larvae and small invertebrates; in drought it can briefly move across moist ground. Relatives of this genus can self-fertilise. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sepia killifish?

The Sepia killifish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Sepia killifish live?

The Sepia killifish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Sepia killifish get?

The Sepia killifish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Sepia killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Sepia killifish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sepia-killivis sourced
English name
Sepia killifish sourced
Scientific name
Kryptolebias sepia
Family
Rivulidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Kryptolebias

More from the family Rivulidae

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