Poecilia caucana (Steindachner, 1880)
Poecilia caucana
photo by Galvis, G./Mojica, J.I./Camargo, M.

 Family:  Poeciliidae (Poeciliids), subfamily: Poeciliinae
 Max. size:  3 cm TL (male/unsexed); 6 cm NG (female)
 Environment:  benthopelagic; pH range: 7 - 7.5; dH range: 10 - 20
 Distribution:  Central and South America: Pacific drainage system from Darien, Panama to Rio Cauca, Colombia as well as in Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. Known from the Catatumbo River (Ref. 26543).
 Diagnosis:  Identified by the black spot found on the base of the dorsal fin; some specimens with thin transverse bands along the body but this may be attributed to the coloration before or after the reproductive period (Ref. 26543).
 Biology:  Feeds on algae and insects end up in the water (Ref. 26543). Tolerates extreme temperature, salinity and anoxia conditions (Ref. 26543). There was a proposal to use this species as biological control against mosquito larvae (Ref. 26543).
 IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated  (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:   
 

 Entered by: Torres, Armi G. - 18.03.98
 Modified by: Garilao, Cristina V. - 10.08.98
 Checked by: Froese, Rainer - 22.06.98

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