Stats

Lifespan

2-3 yrs

Size

Tiny

Diet

Omnivore

Activity

Diurnal

Social

School

Biome

Freshwater wetland

Range

South America

Movement

Swimming

Breeding

Live birth

Defense

Speed

Status

Endangered

About

This small, vibrant fish inhabits the shallow, isolated lagoons of Venezuela. Males possess neon-colored markings that shift in intensity based on their social status.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   hatchling fry

   A tiny fry hatches with a yolk sac and begins free-swimming once the sac is absorbed.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   A juvenile takes on adult body shape and feeds on small prey, often in nursery waters.
3. 3.
   adult

   Fully grown at adult size and coloration.

Learn more

• View on iNaturalist →
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Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Actinopterygii

Order

Cyprinodontiformes

Family

Poeciliidae

Genus

Poecilia

Species

Poecilia wingei