Spanish toothcarp
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Please expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Spanish Wikipedia. After translating, {{Translated|es|Aphanius iberus}} must be added to the talk page to ensure copyright compliance.Translation instructions · Translate via Google · Involve your language class |
| Spanish toothcarp | ||||||||||||||
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| Aphanius iberus (Valenciennes, 1846) |
The Spanish toothcarp, Aphanius iberus, is a small species of fish in the family Cyprinodontidae.
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[edit] Distribution and habitat
It is a freshwater fish, native to southern and eastern Spain and to northwestern Algeria.
It lives mainly in coastal lakes, marshes and ricefield canals. Although it is a hardy fish species, tolerating different concentrations of salinity and a wide spectrum of water temperature, it is quite sensitive to pollution.[1]
[edit] Morphology and habits
Females grow to 5.4 cm in length; males are slightly smaller, reaching 4.0 cm.
It feeds on insect larvae and is used for control of mosquitoes. It is threatened by invasive species such as the mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, as well as by habitat loss.[2]
[edit] Vernacular Names
This fish is known as "fartet" in Valencia, where it is a protected species.[3]
[edit] References
- "Aphanius iberus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. May 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
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