Family: |
Poeciliidae (Poeciliids), subfamily: Poeciliinae |
Max. size: |
3.5 cm SL (male/unsexed); 6 cm TL (female) |
Environment: |
pelagic; freshwater; brackish; pH range: 7 - 8; dH range: 9 - 19, non-migratory |
Distribution: |
South America: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil southward to Uruguay and Argentina (Ref. 9086). Introduced mainly for mosquito control (Ref. 1739). At least one country reports adverse ecological impact after introduction. |
Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-9. Dorsal fin short; pectoral fin small, not reaching back to level of pelvic fin bases; body and fins covered with a profusion of black patches; tip of gonopodium of male with a distinctly downturned hook (Ref 54372). |
Biology: |
Inhabits swamps and drains of Perth metropolitan area, Western Australia (Ref. 44894). Omnivorous. |
IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 November 2020 Ref. (130435)
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Threat to humans: |
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