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Roloff's rivulus (Rivulus roloffi) — Rivulidae

Roloff's rivulus

Rivulus roloffi
Family: Rivulidae

The Roloff's rivulus (Rivulus roloffi) is a freshwater fish of the family Rivulidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

Roloff's rivulus is a small killifish (Rivulidae) from shallow streams, pools and ditches of Hispaniola in the Caribbean. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, cylindrical body; males are brown with rows of red spots. 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. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Roloff's rivulus?

The Roloff's rivulus has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Roloff's rivulus live?

The Roloff's rivulus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Roloff's rivulus get?

The Roloff's rivulus grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Roloff's rivulus dangerous to humans?

No, the Roloff's rivulus is harmless to humans.

Is the Roloff's rivulus edible?

Yes, the Roloff's rivulus is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Roloffs killivis sourced
English name
Roloff's rivulus sourced
Scientific name
Rivulus roloffi
Family
Rivulidae
Other names
Hispaniolan rivulus sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 Rivulus

More from the family Rivulidae

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