Killifish
Austrolebias cinereus
Austrolebias cinereus is a small annual killifish endemic to temporary wetlands in South America, characterized by its compressed body and distinctive grayish coloration that gives it its common name. These fish play a crucial role in their ephemeral aquatic ecosystems as both predators of invertebrates and prey for birds and larger fish during the brief periods when their seasonal pools contain water.
1
Countries
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Order
Cyprinodontiformes
Family
Rivulidae
Genus
Austrolebias
Killifish belongs to the family Rivulidae, order Cyprinodontiformes, within the unknown class.
Species Profile
Austrolebias cinereus is a small annual killifish endemic to temporary wetlands in South America, characterized by its compressed body and distinctive grayish coloration that gives it its common name. These fish play a crucial role in their ephemeral aquatic ecosystems as both predators of invertebrates and prey for birds and larger fish during the brief periods when their seasonal pools contain water.
Austrolebias cinereus faces severe threats primarily from habitat destruction and degradation of its specialized wetland environments. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to local environmental changes and human activities that alter or destroy its temporary pool habitats.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Austrolebias cinereus inhabits shallow temporary pools, seasonal wetlands, and ephemeral ponds that fill during rainy seasons and dry completely during drought periods. These habitats are typically found in grassland and savanna regions with clay or sandy substrates that retain water temporarily.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Austrolebias cinereus faces severe threats primarily from habitat destruction and degradation of its specialized wetland environments. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to local environmental changes and human activities that alter or destroy its temporary pool habitats.
Agricultural expansion and intensification
Habitat loss and degradation
Urban development
Climate change affecting seasonal pool dynamics
Water pollution and contamination
Found in 1 Country
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Killifish (Austrolebias cinereus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/killifish