Diagnostic Description
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Can be diagnosed from other species of Valenciidae, Fundulidae and Cyprinodontidae in Europe by the following characters: males bluish to greyish, possessing 1-14 darker bars narrower than or as wide as interspaces, not always distinct anteriorly, with iridescent spots; males with caudal fin hyaline to bluish, with or without dark posterior margin, and spots organized into 2-4 vertical rows; dorsal and anal fins of adult male not reaching caudal fin; 28-30 scales in midlateral series on body; anal fin usually with 11 rays; pectoral fin with 12-14 rays (Ref. 59043).
Life Cycle
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Eggs are scattered among fine-feathered water plants. Young hatch after 16-20 days (Ref. 2060). Eggs of about 2-mm in diameter are laid probably in batches (Ref. 59043).
Biology
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A short-lived species. Adults inhabit swamps, lowland water courses with little current, lagoons, springs and associated wetlands (Ref. 26100). Can tolerate salinity of up to 4 ppt in the wild and 46 ppt under laboratory conditions, but prefer freshwater. They feed mainly on insects, especially chironomids (Ref. 59043). Threatened due to the introduction of other species and water abstraction (Ref. 26100). Not a seasonal killifish. Difficult to maintain in aquarium (Ref. 27139).
Importance
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fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial