| Identification
& Biology: |
Gulf
killifish are bronze-gray in color, although spawning males
will be darker with glittering specks of color. It has only
one dorsal fin and no spines in any of its fins. It is the
largest of the eight species of killifish in the Gulf states
and any killifish over 3 inches long without bars on its sides
is likely a Gulf killifish. It is an extremely tough fish,
able to survive low oxygen, drought, high temperatures, and
winter freezes. In the northern Gulf they spawn from March
to September, with a peak in March-April and another in August-September.
Spawning may occur year-round in southern Gulf regions. The
eggs hatch in 10-21 days, depending on temperature. They reach
12 inches in 4 to 5 months. Adults are aggressive, in spite
of their small size, eating crabs, fish, shrimp, worms, insects,
and pieces of plants. Gulf killifish are extremely popular
as bait and are heavily trapped in some areas. Populations
generally reach their low point in May, before the new spawn
has grown large enough to trap. Some progress has been made
on aquaculturing these fish. |
