CR

Leptopanchax opalescens

Declining

Overview

Leptolebias opalescens, also known as the opal pearlfish, annual tropical killifish or opalescent pearlfish, is a species of killifish in the family Aplocheilidae endemic to Brazil. This species was described as Cynolebias opalescens by George S. Myers in 1942 with the type locality given as the base of the Serra do Petrópolis, near Imbarié in the municipality of Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro.

Leptopanchax opalescens faces severe threats from habitat destruction as coastal wetlands in its limited West African range are converted for agriculture and urban development. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial activities degrades the shallow freshwater pools and seasonal wetlands this killifish depends upon. Climate change intensifies these pressures through altered rainfall patterns that affect the ephemeral water bodies essential for breeding.

Threat summary

Habitat

This killifish inhabits shallow freshwater pools, seasonal wetlands, and temporary water bodies in coastal West Africa. It requires ephemeral aquatic environments that fill during rainy seasons and may partially dry during drought periods.

Other threatened species in APLOCHEILIDAE

CR

Leptopanchax splendens

Declining
CR

Leptopanchax citrinipinnis

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EN

Pachypanchax omalonota

Declining
EN

Day's Killifish

Aplocheilus dayi

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Leptopanchax opalescens classified as Critically Endangered?
Leptopanchax opalescens is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Leptopanchax opalescens faces severe threats from habitat destruction as coastal wetlands in its limited West African range are converted for agriculture and urban development. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial activities degrades the shallow freshwater pools and seasonal wetlands this killifish depends upon. Climate change intensifies these pressures through altered rainfall patterns that affect the ephemeral water bodies essential for breeding.
Where does Leptopanchax opalescens live?
Leptopanchax opalescens occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Leptopanchax opalescens?
The main threats to Leptopanchax opalescens are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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