Mangrove Rivulus
Kryptolebias marmoratus
Status: Not Listed
Classification: Fish
Description
Mangrove rivulus are small and slender fish that are dark brown to green in color with speckles of orange and black. They are amphibious fish, meaning they can survive on land and in water. Their small, rounded fins propel them through the water and their tail fin helps them to flip on land. Mangrove rivulus are tiny, reaching just 1 to 2.5 inches (2.5 to 6 centimeters) in length.
Range
These fish are found in the United States throughout the Caribbean and along both coasts of central South Florida. Not surprisingly, mangrove rivulus are usually found in mangrove forests, particularly in stagnant pools. They take refuge in moist land crab burrows, leaf litter, logs, and even coconuts during dry spells or when water conditions become unfavorable. They can survive for two months out of water. The primary predators of mangrove rivulus are birds and mangrove water snakes.
Diet
Mangrove rivulus eat smaller fish, crabs, insects, snails, and worms. They can capture insects on land and bring them back to the water to eat.
Life History
These fish are the only known example of a self-fertilizing hermaphroditic vertebrate. In other words, many individuals have both male and female reproductive parts and are capable of producing genetically identical copies of themselves. Sexual reproduction also takes place, though, because under certain conditions, male rivulus do exist. In the presence of males, hermaphrodites function as females. The exact lifespan of the mangrove rivulus is unknown, but they have lived for eight years in captivity.
Conservation
Mangrove rivulus in Florida are listed under the Endangered Species Act as a species of concern. Their main threats are their vulnerability to habitat degradation and alteration, as well as pollution. They are relatively abundant in the Caribbean.
Fun Fact
To survive on land and in water, mangrove rivulus are able to breathe through their skin and their gills.
Sources
Florida Museum of Natural History
Journal of Experimental Biology
Mangrove.org
National Geographic
National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NatureServe Explorer
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
The Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology
