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The Speckled Killifish

Speckled Killifish occupies sheltered pools and backwaters in selected Atlantic-slope drainages. Sand and mud are common bottom materials in its habitat.

Range and Identity

Fundulus rathbuni is recorded from the Dan, Neuse, Cape Fear, Pee Dee and Catawba regions. The Dan belongs to the Roanoke system and the Catawba to the Santee system, so both local river and larger drainage names are useful when comparing records.

Habitat and Behavior

Adults usually occur over sand or mud in backwaters and pools of creeks and small to medium rivers. These are relatively sheltered channel settings. The presence of nearby flowing water does not mean that the fish necessarily occupies the strongest riffle current.

Food and Life History

The narrative source reports an upper length of 9.6 centimeters total length, exceeding the eight-centimeter summary header. The larger published value is retained. The species is not an annual seasonal killifish, and an independent maximum weight is not established.

Field Note

Keep the measurement convention and drainage with the record. Differences between source headers and accompanying accounts should remain visible rather than causing the larger supported size to disappear.

All Lakes With Speckled Killifish

Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Speckled Killifish records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.

No published lakes are currently linked to this species in our confirmed records.

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