ENEndangered

Melanorivulus vittatus

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Melanorivulus vittatus faces severe threats from habitat degradation in Brazil's Atlantic Forest region, where urban expansion and agricultural conversion have fragmented its freshwater environments. The species' restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to water pollution from agricultural runoff and domestic waste, which degrades the water quality essential for this killifish's survival. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and increasing the frequency of droughts in its already limited habitat range.
Threat summary

Habitat

This killifish inhabits small freshwater streams, pools, and wetlands within Brazil's Atlantic Forest biome, typically in shallow, slow-moving waters with dense aquatic vegetation. The species shows preference for areas with soft substrates and moderate water flow, often found in forest-edge environments where canopy cover provides temperature regulation.

Other threatened species in RIVULIDAE

Flame Rivulus

Cynodonichthys uroflammeus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Melanorivulus vittatus classified as Endangered?

Melanorivulus vittatus is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Melanorivulus vittatus faces severe threats from habitat degradation in Brazil's Atlantic Forest region, where urban expansion and agricultural conversion have fragmented its freshwater environments. The species' restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to water pollution from agricultural runoff and domestic waste, which degrades the water quality essential for this killifish's survival. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and increasing the frequency of droughts in its already limited habitat range.

Where does Melanorivulus vittatus live?

Melanorivulus vittatus 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 Melanorivulus vittatus?

The main threats to Melanorivulus vittatus 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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