Willemstad Pupfish
Cyprinodon dearborni
- Least concern
- Card rarity: Common
- Fish
Cyprinodon dearborni, the Willemstad pupfish or petotica pupfish, is a species of pupfish native to the ABC islands of the Lesser Antilles. Pupfish populations found along the northern coast of South America are also identified as C. dearborni though genetic evidence suggests that they represent another, so far undescribed species. The species is euryhaline, though it rarely inhabits freshwater and brackish habitats for long; it prefers hypersaline lagoons and bays. Its habitats frequently contain plenty of blue-green algae, which is a staple in its diet; the fish may also take pieces of vegetation and small invertebrates. The species is rarely parasitized, but frequently preyed upon by other fish and birds. The pupfish lay eggs in nests guarded by males. They grow to about 4.8 cm (1.9 in).
Classification
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Cyprinodontiformes
- Family
- Cyprinodontidae
- Genus
- Cyprinodon