Northern cavefish (Amblyopsis spelaea) fish species and information / pictures of Northern cavefish - Amblyopsis spelaea

Northern cavefish (Amblyopsis spelaea) fish species information

Scientific Name
Amblyopsis spelaea

Common Name
Northern cavefish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-11; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 8 - 11; Vertebrae: 29 - 30. Pink-white. No eyes (vestigial eye tissues under skin). Extremely small pelvic fins (rarely absent). Large, broad head. Caudal fin with 4-6 rows of papillae; 11-13 branched caudal rays.

Classification

Classified By

DeKay, 1842

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Trout-perches, Pirate perches and Cavefish (Percopsiformes)

Family

Cavefishes (Amblyopsidae)

Distribution

Region

North America

Distribution

North America: Indiana and Kentucky, U.S.A.

Range

39°N - 37°N

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal; non-migratory

Trophic Level

3.4 s.e. 0.39 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

11.0 cm

Common Length

6.5 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.7676 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (37 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.20; low reproductive rate (Refs. 34868; 27795).)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Vulnerable (VU) (D2)