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Elongate livebearer (Poeciliopsis elongata) — Poeciliidae

Elongate livebearer

Poeciliopsis elongata
Family: Poeciliidae

The Elongate livebearer (Poeciliopsis elongata) is a brackish-water fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The elongate livebearer is a livebearing toothcarp (Poeciliidae) from coastal, estuarine and lower river water of the eastern Pacific around northwestern Mexico. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a very slender, silver-grey body. The male fertilises the female internally with an anal fin modified into a gonopodium, after which live young are born. As a surface-oriented fish it snaps at mosquito larvae, small invertebrates and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Elongate livebearer?

The Elongate livebearer has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Elongate livebearer live?

The Elongate livebearer lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Elongate livebearer get?

The Elongate livebearer grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Elongate livebearer dangerous to humans?

No, the Elongate livebearer is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slank tandkarpertje sourced
English name
Elongate livebearer sourced
Scientific name
Poeciliopsis elongata
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Elongate toothcarp sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal 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 Poeciliopsis

More from the family Poeciliidae

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