Spanish toothcarp facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spanish toothcarp |
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| Male toothcarp (top) and female toothcarp (bottom) | |
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| Distribution of Aphanius Iberus in Spain | |
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The Spanish toothcarp (Apricaphanius iberus), also known as the Spanish pupfish or Iberian killifish, is a small fish that lives only in the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). This makes it an endemic species, meaning it's found nowhere else in the world. It belongs to the fish family called Cyprinodontidae.
Sadly, the Spanish toothcarp is one of the most endangered vertebrate animals in the Iberian Peninsula. Its numbers have dropped a lot in the last 20 years. This is why it's on lists of endangered species both in Spain and around the world. One big problem is that its habitat (the places it lives) has been broken up, often by human activities. This makes it harder for different groups of these fish to mix, which can weaken their populations over time.
There are other similar fish species. One in the southwest of the peninsula is called Apricaphanius baeticus. Another similar species, Apricaphanius saourensis, lives in Algeria.
Contents
About the Spanish Toothcarp
Appearance and Size
The Spanish toothcarp is a small fish, usually less than 5 centimeters (2.0 in) long. Female toothcarps are typically a bit longer than males of the same age. They have a body shape that's a bit stretched out and fins that are rounded. Their dorsal fin (the one on their back) is not very big compared to their body. They have large scales, with about 20 to 26 scales across their widest part.
It's easy to tell males and females apart because they look quite different. This is called sexual dimorphism.
- Males have bluish or silver stripes going up and down their sides. They also have dark bands on their caudal fin (tail fin).
- Females are usually greenish-brown with dark, irregular spots all over their bodies. Their fins are clear and don't have many patterns. However, some groups of toothcarps, especially those in Murcia, have short, dark stripes instead of spots.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Spanish toothcarps have a short lifespan. They grow up quickly and can start having babies when they are only three months old.
Female toothcarps lay eggs many times during the breeding season, producing anywhere from 100 to 900 eggs. In the Murcia region, they usually lay eggs between April and August. In areas further north, like the Delta del Ebro, they lay eggs from May to August. They often choose places with lots of plants nearby to lay their eggs, as the plants help protect the eggs.
The baby fish, called hatchlings, come out of the eggs about eight days after they are laid. If a female hatches in April, she can start reproducing herself by June!
While the females are busy laying eggs, the adult males set up small areas that they protect from other males. They have special "combats" to show off and try to attract females.
Behavior and Diet
The Spanish toothcarp is an omnivore, meaning it eats both plants and animals. Its diet includes insects, small crustaceans, worms, and algae. These fish usually swim in small groups and like to stay hidden among underwater plants.
The Spanish toothcarp grows fast, matures early, lays many eggs, and has a short life. This way of life is very helpful for fish that live in places where conditions can change a lot, like estuaries (where rivers meet the sea). In these unstable environments, it helps them survive and grow their population quickly when conditions are good.
Where They Live
Spanish toothcarps live in shallow, slow-moving waters. This includes places like river mouths, coastal lakes, and ponds. They can live in both salty and fresh water because they can handle high levels of salt. This ability is called being euryhaline. They can also live in temperatures from 10–32 °C (50–90 °F) and in water with pH levels between 6.5 and 7.5.
Even though they are very adaptable, they have been pushed out of many areas by invasive species. One of the main problems is the mosquitofish, which was brought to Spain from North America in 1921 to help control malaria-carrying mosquitoes. The Spanish toothcarp has had to move to very salty areas where the mosquitofish cannot survive.
Distribution in Spain
The Spanish toothcarp is found across the Iberian Peninsula, from the Aigüamolls of Alt Empordà to Lake Adra in Almería. However, in the last 20 years, their numbers have dropped sharply. This is partly because their suitable homes have been destroyed. Now, only a few dozen small, separate groups of these fish are left.
They have been found in places like the Segura River area, the Chicamo River, wetlands near the Mar Menor, and in the Valencian Community (like the Parc Natural el Fondo and the Parc Natural de l'Albufera). They also live in the Parque Natural del Delta del Ebro in Tarragona, and the Albufera de Adra and the Adra River.
Different Groups of Toothcarps
Scientists have studied the Spanish toothcarp using DNA to understand how different groups are related. They found that toothcarps living on the Atlantic coast are genetically different from those living on the Mediterranean coast. This means they have been separated for a very long time and don't mix with each other.
Because these two groups are so different, scientists now consider the Atlantic populations to be a separate species called Apricaphanius baeticus. The name Apricaphanius iberus is now only used for the populations living in the Mediterranean. This discovery is important for protecting the unique genetic identities of both groups.
Protecting the Spanish Toothcarp
Even though the Spanish toothcarp is found in a large area, most of its populations are small and in danger. Because of this, the Spanish Ministry of Environment lists it as an endangered species.
Here are some of the main threats to the Spanish toothcarp:
- Water pollution: From farm waste and city waste.
- Habitat destruction: Mainly from new buildings and other developments.
- Introduced species: Animals brought from other places, like Louisiana crawfish, mosquitofish, and largemouth bass, compete with or eat the toothcarps.
- Loss of water channels: The disappearance of small channels and irrigation ponds where they used to live.
- Riverbed pollution: From accidental spills.
- Algae control: Sometimes, chemicals like copper sulfate are used to fight too much algae, but these can be toxic to fish.
- Too much algae: This is called eutrophication and can harm the water quality.
- Pollution in lagoons: Contamination of coastal lagoons, called albuferas.
- Pet trade: In the past, people collecting them as pets for aquariums also contributed to their decline. Luckily, most people now prefer more colorful tropical fish.
Other Names for the Fish
This fish is known as fartet or peixet de sequiol in both Spanish and Catalan. Sometimes, in Catalan, it's called the diminutive fartonet.
See also
- Samaruc - Another similar Iberian killifish, found in Valencia
