Scientific Name
Leptolebias opalescens

Common Name
Opal pearlfish

Biology
Aquarium conditions preferred: pH=6.8, H=7, 25?C, with rocks, plants and driftwood. Carnivorous, egg laying and peaceful community fish (Ref. 6398). Bottom spawner, 4 months incubation. Is very difficult to maintain in aquarium (Ref. 27139).

Classification

Classified By

Myers, 1942

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Live bearers, Killifishes and Rivulines (Cyprinodontiformes)

Family

Rivulines (Rivulidae)

Distribution

Region

South America

Distribution

South America: Atlantic coastal river basin in Brazil. Listed as Vulnerable in IUCN 2004 and listed in Appendix II of CITES.

Range

23°S - 24°S

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

22 °C

Water Temperature To

27 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; benthopelagic; non-migratory

Trophic Level

3.12 s.e. 0.37 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

4.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5078 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (10 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Vulnerable (VU) (B1+2ac+3bd)