Plains killifish
📖 Overview
Adults inhabit shallow sandy runs, pools, and backwaters of headwaters, creeks and small to medium rivers. They tolerates extremely alkaline and saline streams, and often found where few other fishes can survive. Migratory behaviour is undetermined . This species buries headfirst in sand and orients itself with only mouth and eyes are visible. This habit may protect the fish from intense sunlight or may help avoid predators, detect potential prey, or stream desiccation. 10 cm max TL . Not a seasonal killifish. Is easy to maintain in the aquarium .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Physical description for Plains killifish is currently being compiled.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Plains killifish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.0 - ?. Tropical; 20°C - 25°C ; 46°N - 29°N North America: Mississippi River and Gulf Slope basins in the USA from northern central Montana to central Wyoming and south to Colorado River, Brazos River, Galveston Bay and Rio Grande drainages in Texas (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Plains killifish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Plains killifish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Plains killifish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | plains killifish · Southern Plains Killifish |
| 🌍CES | fundul zebrovitý |
| 🌍LAV | Svītrainais fundulis |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Зебровый фундулюс |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Sardinilla cebra |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fundulus adinia | Jordan & Gilbert | 1883 | Synonym |
| Fundulus zebra | DeKay | 1842 | Synonym |
| Hydrargyra zebra | Girard | 1859 | Heterotypic |
| Plancterus zebrinus | Jordan & Gilbert | 1883 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Plains killifish ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.