Home · Rivulidae · Staeck's pearlfish
Staeck's pearlfish (Moema staecki) — Rivulidae

Staeck's pearlfish

Moema staecki
Family: Rivulidae

The Staeck's pearlfish (Moema staecki) is a freshwater fish of the family Rivulidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Staeck's pearlfish?

Description

The Staeck's pearlfish is an annual killifish (Rivulidae) from temporary pools and swamps of the upper Amazon basin in Bolivia. The species grows to about 6 cm; the male is brightly coloured with blue, yellow and red spots and spreading fins. 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 Staeck's pearlfish?

The Staeck's pearlfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Staeck's pearlfish live?

The Staeck's pearlfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. South America: Brazil

How big does the Staeck's pearlfish get?

The Staeck's pearlfish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Staeck's pearlfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Staeck's pearlfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Staeck's pearlfish edible?

Yes, the Staeck's pearlfish is commonly eaten.

Want the complete picture on the Staeck's pearlfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Staeck's pearlfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

All data

Identification

English name
Staeck's pearlfish sourced
Scientific name
Moema staecki
Family
Rivulidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
South America: Brazil sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
Yes
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Moema

More from the family Rivulidae

Want the complete picture on the Staeck's pearlfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Staeck's pearlfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Is this the Staeck's pearlfish?