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Blackstripe livebearer (Poeciliopsis prolifica) — Poeciliidae

Blackstripe livebearer

Poeciliopsis prolifica
Family: Poeciliidae

The Blackstripe livebearer (Poeciliopsis prolifica) is a brackish-water fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The blackstripe livebearer is a small livebearing toothcarp (Poeciliidae) from fresh and brackish water of northwestern Mexico. The species grows to about 3 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a fine dark longitudinal stripe. It lives in schools in slow streams, pools and estuaries and eats algae, small invertebrate life and detritus. The female gives birth to live young and can produce offspring almost continuously. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackstripe livebearer?

The Blackstripe livebearer has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Blackstripe livebearer live?

The Blackstripe livebearer lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Blackstripe livebearer get?

The Blackstripe livebearer grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Blackstripe livebearer dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackstripe livebearer is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartstreep-levendbarende sourced
English name
Blackstripe livebearer sourced
Scientific name
Poeciliopsis prolifica
Family
Poeciliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom 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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