Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cyprinodontiformes (Rivulines, killifishes and live bearers) >
Poeciliidae (Poeciliids) > Poeciliinae
Etymology: Gambusia: Gambusia: From the Cuban term, Gambusino, which means "nothing", usually in the context of a joke or a farce. Fishing for gambusinos = when one catches nothing (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Hubbs.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.5 - 7.8; dH range: ? - 18. Tropical; 22°C - 26°C (Ref. 2060)
North America: Rio Nautla, northern Veracruz, Mexico, along the Atlantic slope of Campeche, Atlantic drainage of inland Mexico in the states of Oaxaca and Chiapas, presumably across the base of the Yucatan Peninsula to Quintana Roo, south to southern Belize (Moho river drainage). Also found in the Rio Usumacinta drainage in Guatemala, and in isolated islands in the Petén region.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 2.6 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 30499); 3.5 cm SL (female)
Usually found near the shore where vegetation is present in both pond and river habitats. Feeds mainly on benthic, vegetation-associated invertebrates, and on terrestrial shoreline organisms.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
After about 28 days gestation, female gives birth to 10-35 young. Sexual maturity is reached after four months (Ref. 2060).
Greenfield, D.W. and J.E. Thomerson, 1997. Fishes of the continental waters of Belize. University Press of Florida, Florida. 311 p. (Ref. 30499)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01023 (0.00454 - 0.02306), b=3.14 (2.95 - 3.33), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.5 ±0.37 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
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