Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cyprinodontiformes (Rivulines, killifishes and live bearers) >
Cyprinodontidae (Pupfishes) > Cyprinodontinae
Etymology: Cyprinodon: Latin, cyprinus = carp + Greek, odous = teeth (Ref. 45335); veronicae: Named for Verónica Contreras Arquieta..
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; non-migratory. Tropical
Central America: Río San Juan system, Mexico.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 5.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 27139)
This species is distinguished from its congeners in having the following characters: maxilla short 0.70-0.77 times in anal fin base; head large 2.7-2.9 times in SL; male with 6-7 diffused dark bars along sides, covering only upper half of body; female with an irregular ocellus on dorsal fin, its black spot half-moon shaped, smaller than a pupil; eye 1-1.2 times in anal fin base; postdorsal-postanal 0.9-1.1 times in caudal peduncle length; anal fin usually smaller than its congeners, 3-3.9 times in head length; teeth absent on 4th ceratobranchial; dorsal fin inserted behind pelvic origin; nuptial males violaceous blue (Ref. 26729).
The springs at Ojo Charco Azul (= Barreno) are part of the Bolsón de Sandia complex, at 1600 m above sea level, and at the foot of Sierra Montelongo Pedregoso. The area is semiarid, with cacti other succulents; a densely woody area of cedar around the springs, except on the eastern side. Formerly the water was crystal clear at 19-20°C, but recently after depletion, the water is brown. Aquatic vegetation includes Ceratophyllum, Potamogeton, Typha, Eleocharis, Lemna, Utricularia, Scirpus, and Chara; crayfish Cambarellus sp. was observed. The bottom is loamy or muddy (Ref. 26729). Not a seasonal killifish. Is very difficult to maintain in aquarium (Ref. 27139).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturities | Reproduction | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larvae
Lozano-Vilano, M. de L. and S. Conteras-Balderas, 1993. Four new species of Cyprinodon from southern Nuevo León, Mexico, with a key to the C. eximius complex (Teleostei: Cyprinodontidae). Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwat. 4(4):295-308. (Ref. 26729)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01349 (0.00591 - 0.03081), b=3.14 (2.95 - 3.33), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 2.6 ±0.1 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).