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


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Family:  Poeciliidae (Poeciliids), subfamily: Poeciliinae
Max. size:  3 cm TL (male/unsexed); 6 cm NG (female)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; 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: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 December 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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