Texas Gulf Coast Fishing

Rainwater Killifish

RAINWATER KILLIFISH - Lucania parva

Description: The rainwater killifish has a slightly compressed body, a small, upturned mouth, and a strongly compressed caudal peduncle. Most scales are edged in black, giving them a diamond-shaped appearance. The male’s dorsal fin has a large black spot at the base, and the fin margin is orange. All other fins except the pectorals have thin black edges. The anal fin is light yellow. General body color is light yellow to straw on the back, fading to white on the vent.
SIZE: 0.8 to 2.4 inches
DISTRIBUTION: The rainwater killifish is widespread from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, southward through the Atlantic and Gulf slopes to Tampico, Mexico.
HABITAT: The rainwater killifish generally prefers brackish conditions, the species is tolerant of wide-ranging salinity and consequently can be found in a variety of shallow, quiet, vegetated habitats in coastal areas.