Desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius)

Scientific name: Cyprinodon macularius Baird & Girard, 1853

The Desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinodontidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 25–35°C (77–95°F).

Desert pupfish care at a glance

Temperature: 25–35°C (77–95°F)

Biology

Usually occurs over mud or sand in springs, marshes, lakes and pools of creeks. 7.2 cm max TL. Not a seasonal killifish. Is difficult to maintain in aquarium. Also occur in hot springs with temperatures up to 45?C and salinities up to 20%.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Cyprinodon macularius
Family: Cyprinodontidae (Pupfishes)
Order: Cyprinodontiformes (Live bearers, Killifishes and Rivulines)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 5.0
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 7.5 - 8.0; dH range: 13 - 19 benthopelagic
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: North America: lower Colorado River drainage, including Gila River system and south through southern Arizona and California, USA (including Salton Sea) into northern Mexico.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tmax=2)