Santa Cruz pupfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Santa Cruz pupfish |
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The Santa Cruz pupfish (scientific name: Cyprinodon arcuatus) was a small fish that lived only in the Santa Cruz River in Arizona, USA. It belonged to the Cyprinodontidae family, also known as pupfish. Sadly, this special fish was declared extinct in 2011, meaning it no longer exists anywhere in the world.
What Did the Santa Cruz Pupfish Look Like?
The Santa Cruz pupfish was a small fish. Males and females looked a bit different, which is called sexual dimorphism.
Size and Color
Male pupfish were usually about 37 millimeters (1.46 inches) long. Females were a little smaller, around 32 millimeters (1.26 inches) long.
When males were ready to breed, their bodies turned a dark green or black. They also had stripes that switched between light and dark colors. Females and males not ready to breed had clear fins. The only exception was a black fin on their back, called the dorsal fin.
Unique Features
The Santa Cruz pupfish had a unique body shape. Its back was very rounded, and the part behind its back fin curved inward. This helped scientists tell it apart from other types of Cyprinodon pupfish. Also, unlike some other pupfish, the breeding males of this species did not have orange or yellow colors in their fins.
See Also
In Spanish: Cyprinodon arcuatus para niños
