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Papillate pearlfish (Nematolebias papilliferus) — Rivulidae

Papillate pearlfish

Nematolebias papilliferus
Family: Rivulidae

The Papillate pearlfish (Nematolebias papilliferus) is a freshwater fish of the family Rivulidae that grows up to 7 cm.

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

Description

The papillate pearlfish is an annual killifish (Rivulidae) from temporary coastal pools and swamps of southeastern Brazil in South America. The species grows to about 6 cm; the male is brightly coloured with red and blue-green tints and a pearled pattern. When the pools dry up in the dry season the adults die, but their eggs survive in the soil and hatch after the next rains. It eats small invertebrates and insect larvae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Papillate pearlfish?

The Papillate pearlfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly multicoloured.

Where does the Papillate pearlfish live?

The Papillate pearlfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Papillate pearlfish get?

The Papillate pearlfish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Papillate pearlfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Papillate pearlfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Papil-parelkillivis sourced
English name
Papillate pearlfish sourced
Scientific name
Nematolebias papilliferus
Family
Rivulidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured 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 Nematolebias

More from the family Rivulidae

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