Mangrove rivulus
📖 Overview
Facultative air-breathing ; Adults inhabit shallow, mud-bottomed ditches, bays, salt marshes and other brackish-water environments; also crab burrows , moist leaf litter, decaying mangrove logs . Can withstand heavy pollution of fresh or salty waters and shares its biotope with Poecilia vivipara which is much more abundant . Usually found in water with low oxygen content . Either male or hermaphroditic, females don't seem to exist. Only about 5% of a population are born as males; after 3-4 years about 60% of the (self-fertilizing) hermaphrodites transform into secondary males by losing female structure and function. The proportion of males depends on the environmental temperature. Below 20°C, majority are males, above 25°C all are hermaphrodites . It is the only known naturally occurring, self-fertilizing vertebrate . Not a seasonal killifish. Is very difficult to maintain in aquarium .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dark spot surrounded by yellow ring on side of caudal peduncle, just ahead of upper part of caudal fin base .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Mangrove rivulus is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Mangrove rivulus is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Eggs are sometimes fertilized internally by accident via close apposition of gonopores in otherwise oviparous fishes . Regarded as a self-fertilizing hermaphrodite . Eggs are 1.6 mm in diameter. Sexes can be distinguished after 8 weeks . Also Ref. 103751.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; pH range: ? - 7.5; dH range: ? - 16; non-migratory ; depth range 0 - ? m . Tropical; 18°C - 24°C ; 31°N - 3°N, 93°W - 49°W Central and South America: eastern coasts of Florida (Indian River to Key West) in USA and Bahamas to Cuba, Jamaica, Cayman Island, Brazil, French Guiana, the Netherlands Antilles, Venezuela, Belize, Mexico, Puerto Rico.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Mangrove rivulus 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 Mangrove rivulus is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Mangrove rivulus has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rivulus bonairensis | Hoedeman | 1958 | Synonym |
| Rivulus garciae | de la Cruz & Dubitsky | 1976 | Synonym |
| Rivulus garciai | de la Cruz & Dubitsky | 1976 | Synonym |
| Rivulus heyei | Nichols | 1914 | Synonym |
| Rivulus marmoratus | Poey | 1880 | Synonym |
| Rivulus marmoratus bonairensis | Hoedeman | 1958 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 17 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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