Spanish toothcarp

📖 Overview

Adults inhabit lagoons, salt marshes, swamps, estuaries and freshwaters. Euryhaline, occurring in water bodies with salinities ranging from freshwater to 57 ppt . They occur in lowland water with little current. Spawninng occurs from April to September. Is an egg-laying carnivorous fish which is used for mosquito control . This short-lived species is now threatened throughout its entire range because of habitat destruction and because of the introduction of Gambusia affinis . Not a seasonal killifish. Is easy to maintain in the aquarium .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 11; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 7 - 10. Can be diagnosed from other species of Aphanius, Valenciidae and Fundulidae in Europe by having the following characters: males possess a hyaline to bluish-grey caudal fin, with 2-5 dark grey bars, 10-20 dark grey to dark blue bars on a silvery background, bars usually irregularly shaped and set, often connected, breaking up into a mosaic of dark blue and silvery spots along back and in posterior part of body; females have numerous dark brown spots on sides and back; 23-27 scales in lateral line series on body; pectoral fin with 9-10 rays; and anal fin with 7-8 rays .: fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Spanish toothcarp is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.5 - 7.5; dH range: 8 - 10; non-migratory . Temperate; 10°C - 32°C ; 42°N - 34°N, 3°W - 1°E known localities (now extirpated in 14 of them).

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

👥 Community & Contribute