Scientific Name
Heterandria formosa

Common Name
Least killifish

Biology
Inhabits heavily vegetated standing to slow-flowing fresh and brackish water. Feeds on worms, crustaceans and plant matter (Ref. 7020). A truly viviparous fish (Ref. 45952).

Classification

Classified By

Girard, 1859

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Live bearers, Killifishes and Rivulines (Cyprinodontiformes)

Family

Poeciliids (Poeciliidae)

Distribution

Region

North America

Distribution

North America: occurs only in the USA from Cape Fear River drainage in North Carolina to southern Louisiana.

Range

35°N - 25°N

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

20 °C

Water Temperature To

26 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; ; pH range: 7.0 - 8.0; dH range: 9 - 19 benthopelagic; non-migratory

Trophic Level

2.68 s.e. 0.22 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

3.6 cm

Common Length

2.1 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5010 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (12 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm = 0.13; tmax = 0.33; Batch Fec = 1-7;)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated