Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora

Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora
Male
Female
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cyprinodontiformes
Family: Poeciliidae
Genus: Brachyrhaphis
Species:
B. rhabdophora
Binomial name
Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora
(Regan, 1908)[2]
Synonyms
  • Gambusia rhabdophora Regan, 1908

Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora, commonly known as the lace brachy, is a poeciliid fish from Costa Rica.[3]

Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora is similar to B. roseni, with a shorter gonopodium than B. olomina. Rosen and Bailey (1963) considered B. olomina to be a synonym of B. rhabdophora. By 1998 Bussing had demonstrated that these two Brachyrhaphis populations should be treated as different species.[3]

Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora grows to 6 cm (2.4 in). It has a straight or a slightly arched profile and up to 12 vertical stripes on the sides, which are more conspicuous in males and may be absent in large females. A half of the dorsal fin is yellow or orange, and the fin has a dark margin. The margin of the caudal fin is also yellow or orange; males additionally have a dark band before the margin. The anal fin is yellow with a dark blotch.[3] Females are larger than males and have a stronger build.[4]

Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora prefers waters with low to moderate current and is only rarely found in fast flowing waters. The species primarily inhabits the surface and midwaters of creeks and brooks.[3] Its habitats are between 3 and 1,450 m (10 and 4,760 ft) above sea level.[5] These include highland streams and lagoons.[5] Temperature ranges from 22 to 32 °C (72 to 90 °F).[3]

Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora is endemic to Costa Rica. It is found on the Pacific slope between the Parrita River drainage and the Térraba River.[3] The species has been recorded in Pirrís, Tusubres and Térraba River.[5][6]

Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora feeds on insects.[3] It is also a voracious predator of its own young,[7] which makes aquarium breeding difficult.[4]

References

  1. ^ Angulo, A.; Lyons, T.J. (2020). "Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T164691400A164691526. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T164691400A164691526.en. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  2. ^ Regan, C. Tate (1908). "A collection of freshwater fishes made by Mr. C. F. Underwood in Costa Rica". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 2 (11): 455–464 [457]. doi:10.1080/00222930808692515.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Bussing, William A. (1998). Freshwater fishes of Costa Rica. Editorial Universidad de Costa Rica. pp. 204–205. ISBN 9977674892.
  4. ^ a b Dost, Uwe (April 2010). "Brachys from Costa Rica". Tropical Fish Hobbyist. TFH Publications. Retrieved 22 December 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Angulo, A.; Garita-Alvaro, C.A.; Bussing, W.A.; Lopez, M.I. (2013). "Annotated checklist of the freshwater fishes of continental and insular Costa Rica: additions and nomenclatural revisions". Check List. 9 (5): 987–1019. doi:10.15560/9.5.987.
  6. ^ Angulo, A.; Molina-Arias, A.; Murase, A.; Miyazaki, Y.; Bussing, W; López, M. (2015). "Fishes from the Tusubres River basin, Pacific coast, Costa Rica: Checklist, identification key and photographic album". Check List. 11 (3): 1666. doi:10.15560/11.3.1666. hdl:10669/75292.
  7. ^ Baensch, Hans A.; Rüdiger, Riehl (1998). Aquarium Atlas. Vol. 3. Steven Simpson Books. p. 596. ISBN 3882440538.