Edit Cyprinodon alvarezi

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Name

Scientific name

Cyprinodon alvarezi

Described by

Authority Miller, Year 1976

Family

Cyprinodontidae

Common names

Potosí Pupfish

Photograph credits

All 8 credited

Summary

The Potosí pupfish, Cyprinodon alvarezi, is a pupfish from a single isolated spring near El Potosí in Nuevo León state, northern Mexico. It…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

60mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 17–26°C, pH 7–8

Hardness

10–20dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Mexico

Writing

Etymology

Cyprinodon: from the Ancient Greek κυπρῖνος (kuprinos), meaning 'carp', and ὀδούς (odous), meaning 'tooth'. alvarezi: named for José Alvarez del Villar, friend…

Distribution

Originally endemic to a single isolated spring near the settlement of El Potosí in Nuevo León state, northern Mexico but has been extinct in nature since the l…

Habitat

The type locality originally consisted of a single spring-fed pond located in an endorheic basin known as 'La Hediondilla' at the foot of the 'Cerro Potosí' mo…

The type locality originally consisted of a single spring-fed pond located in an endorheic basin known as 'La Hediondilla' at the foot of the 'Cerro Potosí' mountain and around 1880 m AMSL.

It had been modified to make it larger via an earth and rock dam, and below the pond were several distributaries running for a distance of 1-1.5 km.

The water was very clear with abundant vegetation including species of Ceratophyllum, Najas, Nasturtium and Utricularia.

The pond was also home to another endemic pupfish, Megupsilon aporus, and an endemic crayfish, Cambarellus alvarezi, but is now completely dessicated with the water having been exploited for irrigation and other human uses.

Goldfish, Carassius auratus, were introduced to the pond sometime before 1961 and largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, were first recorded in 1974 alongside a corresponding decline in cyprinodontid populations.

Between 1983 and 1984 the water level dropped 1.5 m and by 1985 the pond had disappeared with only a trickle of water remaining in the distributaries. Slight recovery was observed during the early 1990s but only negligible populations of the endemic species were supported and by 1996 the water had gone.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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DOI

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Year

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Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Aquarium size

An aquarium with base dimensions of 60 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent is just about acceptable for a single pair but like most members of the family Cyprinodontidae thi…

Maintenance

Need not be too complicated so long as there are plenty of broken lines-of-sight. Provide plenty of cover in the form of aquatic plants, wool mops, etc., and i…

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Not written yet

Behaviour and compatibility

Best-maintained alone, especially if the intention is for the fish to breed, but can be maintained in a well-researched community provided sufficient space is …

Sexual dimorphism

Not written yet

Reproduction

Not written yet

Notes

This species now exists only in captivity and its preservation is imperative meaning it is not recommended for the community fish keeper.

References

3 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References