Danionella priapus
A living male specimen of the miniature fish Danionella priapus. (Image: Ralf Britz, Natural History Museum)
Danionella priapus is the 4th species to be named and made scientifically known in a genus of miniature and highly developmentally-truncated carp-like fishes. It is new to science, having been described scientifically for the first time in a paper published in Zootaxa in October 2009.
The genus Danionella includes some of the world's smallest fishes and vertebrates.
Species detail
With a maximum length of 16mm, D. priapus is one of the larger species in the genus Danionella.
When alive these fish are almost completely translucent with only:
- a few rows of melanophores
- a thin yellowish-greenish line running along the body at the level of the neural tube (the fish's central nervous system)
- golden chromatophores forming a ring around the pupil and capping the swimbladder chambers and their connecting duct
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Taxonomy
Find out about the characteristics of this minature fish and how it can be readily distinguished from other species in the same genus.
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Biology and behaviour
Information about the biology and behaviour of any of the Danionella species is largely lacking. Find out what is known about D. priapus.
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Distribution and conservation
So far, this miniature fish has only been collected from the Jorai River in India. Due to the species' very recent scientific discovery, its conservation status cannot be properly assessed. Learn more.
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References
Get reference material about the 4 Danionella species.
Images
Colouration of live Danionella priapus male (top) and female (bottom). (Images: Ralf Britz, Natural History Museum)
A view of the Jorai River at Laskapara in India, where Danionella priapus has been found. © Peter Cottle
Lateral view of Danionella priapus male (top) and female (bottom). (Images: Ralf Britz, Natural History Museum)
Dorsal view of the colour pattern of the head and anterior body of a male specimen of Danionella priapus. (Image: Ralf Britz, Natural History Museum)
Close-up of the modified pelvic fins and conically-projecting genital papilla (tube that sperm is released through) of a male Danionella priapus. (Image: Ralf Britz, Natural History Museum)
About the author
Dr Ralf Britz
Researcher in the Zoology Fish Research Group who has discovered numerous fishes and named a total of 40 new freshwater fish species, including Danionella dracula.
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Glossary
Chromatophores
Pigment-containing cells.
Melanophores
Chromatophores in which the pigment is melanin.