FishDatabase

Hart's Rivulus

Rivulus hartii

Aplocheilidae · freshwater and brackish water fish

2 minute read · Species guide

Hart's Rivulus field guide illustration

About Hart's Rivulus

Hart’s rivulus is a small tropical American fish able to reach food and habitat beyond the immediate water surface.

IntroducedFreshBrackish1 states

Natural history

USGS describes occupancy of pools, ponds, streams, and tributaries, together with movement over damp ground between isolated water bodies. This terrestrial mobility helps explain how fish may appear in disconnected pools.

The account reports feeding primarily on insects and young guppies, and jumps as high as 14 centimetres to take prey from vegetation above the water. Its native distribution includes Caribbean-facing Venezuelan drainages and several nearby islands. California records resulted from an introduction thought to involve a fish-farm escape or release.

Sources: Hart's rivulus species profile

Guide sources

Research reviewed 2026-10-19.

Identification and appearance

Distinguishing characteristics and photographs were given by Huber (1992). The spelling for this species is sometimes given as Rivulus harti.

Native range

Tropical America. Caribbean Slope drainages of Venezuela, South America, from Rio Aroa east to Rio San Juan; islands of Trinidad, Tobago, Grenada, and Margarita (J. E. Thomerson, personal communication).

Habitat and ecology

Inhabits small pools, ponds, streams, and tributaries. Can access isolated waterbodies via terrestrial mobility over moist ground (Seghers 1978). Omnivorous: primarily feeds on insects and juvenile Poecilia reticulata. Can also jump up to 14 cm above water surface to reach prey on overhanging vegetation (Seghers 1978).

Introduction history

The California fish were first found in January 1967 (St. Amant 1970). This introduction was probably due to escape or release from a nearby fish farm.

Range

Where it lives

Share of 2 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 1 states.
0%
100%
Share of 2 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 1 states.

Share of records by state

Habitat

Water and movement

Water
WoRMS records this species in fresh water and brackish water.
USGS NAS habitat
Freshwater
US status
Exotic — the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database lists it as introduced from outside North America.
Migration
Not migratory

Classification

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Superclass
Actinopterygii
Class
Teleostei
Order
Cyprinodontiformes
Family
Aplocheilidae
Genus
Rivulus
Species
Rivulus hartii
ITIS TSN
553288
WoRMS AphiaID
282622
GBIF key
7924816

Common questions about Hart's Rivulus

What is the scientific name of Hart's Rivulus?
The scientific name is Rivulus hartii, in the family Aplocheilidae. Classification follows ITIS.
Does Hart's Rivulus live in fresh water or salt water?
WoRMS records this species in fresh water and brackish water.
Where has Hart's Rivulus been recorded in the United States?
GBIF has observations in 1 states, with the most records in California. The map shows observation records, which do not establish the complete natural range.

Closest relatives

Other Rivulus species

Mangrove Rivulus1 states
Rivulus marmoratusAplocheilidaeNativeFreshBrackish

Same family

More Aplocheilidae

Mangrove Rivulus1 states
Rivulus marmoratusAplocheilidaeNativeFreshBrackish