Lucania goodei

The bluefin killifish, Lucania goodei, is a fish of the genus Lucania and is a United States native fish mostly distributed throughout the southeast, but has been introduced to California, and populations in Texas and North Carolina are introduced.^[1] Other common names for the fish include Florida blue dace.^[2]

Geographic Distribution

The bluefin killifish is found throughout Florida, except for its panhandle, where it is not found west of the Choctawhatchee River. It is found in the Chipola River drainage of southeastern Alabama, and sporadically along the Atlantic coast up to central South Carolina.^[3] It has been introduced to Texas, North Carolina, and California.

Ecology

Lucania goodei’ lives is heavily vegetated ponds and streams with little to no current. It is often found in spring habitats, and can also survive in moderate salinity, as well as low oxygen environments where it uses its upturned mouth to gulp air at the surface.^[1] Otherwise, it swims well below the surface. It is not a seasonal fish, unlike some old world killifish ^[3]

References