Alternative name Anablepsoides cauarae.

The well known ichthyologist Dr. Alfred Radda described this species from the Caura river, Bolivar state, Venezuela in 2004.

It was found by Eduard Pürzl, J. Gamperl, K. Wepper and N. Flauger about 1 km from the village of El Playon, towards a waterfall called Raudal Pará on March 30, 2003. The given name refers to the riversystem the species was found.

Rivulus caurae is member of the R. urophthalmus superspecies that also contains R. christinae, R. corpulentus, R. cryptocallus, R. deltaphilus, R. elongatus, R. erberi, R. intermittens, R. iridescens, R. lanceolatus, R. limoncochae, R. luingi, R. mazaruni, R. micropus, R. ophiomimus, R. peruanus, R. rubrolineatus, R. stagnatus, R. taeniatus, R. urophthalmus and R. xanthonotus.

This group has many members that are so close to eachother that only an deepened DNA investigation can bring some clearness in the relation among the members and other known Rivulus species. The Rivulus deltaphilus, also from Venezuela is very close related with this species new to science.

Radda did not to much of investigation to describe the species. There was no DNA taken. No osteological examination took place. Radda also made a comment in the description that is not correct. He mention Rivulus (since 2011) Laimosemion gransabanae for comparisation of the known Rivuline species that live in Venezuela that has an annual behavior... this is not correct.

The differences to Rivulus deltaphilus are minor as the average dorsal is 6.4 (vs. 7.0 in R. deltaphilus) and anal 13.4 (vs 12 in R. deltaphilus) The body of male and female show blotches ( versus lines in R. deltaphilus).

I like to thank Eduard Pürzl for his cooperation by sending me eggs of this species. Sending eggs of non annuals to Aruba is not easy as our post office does not handle the post as in Europe or as in other countries. He had to send them twice and did not want any compensation. Thank you so much Eduard, the result of his shipment can be seen in the images above.

Keeping and breeding is easy but a good cover of the aquarium is necessary because there ability to jump, even true the smallest opening, is unbelievable.

This species can, if there is enough space for them, housed in a tank with more males than one only and several females. If separated before and brought together again however, they can be very agressive to each other and fight to become dominant to others. The best way to have much offspring is to put a pair or an trio in a small tank from 10 liters with a small filter in it or with some airation. On the bottom some peat moss or dark gravel and a floating "mop" to give space for laying there eggs. The fish will, if they become a rich varity of life food, spawn during there whole adult life and produce daily between 5 to 15 eggs.

The eggs should be collected by hand and stored for about 14 days in a small container. Eggs are 1.6 mm and amber colored. It is wise, to add to the water you store the eggs in, some acryflavine to provent fungus coming up.

After hatching the young fry can eat fresh artemia nauplii without any problem. It takes 4 to 5 months to raise them to maturity. Often the number of males is far above the number of females. For some species this can become a major problem for the breeder as he has to raise many young fishes and so become able to distribute a few pairs to other hobbyists. Recent personal tests laerned that lower pH levels during the time of hatching gave a higher percentage of females. To achieve this I use some peat moss that I add to the container with the egss just before they are ready to hatch. This peat moss also is a good way to prevent eggs to become attact by fungusses.

There lifespan can be up to 3 years in captivity.

Remarks :

Max. size 5.0 cm.
Dorsal 6.4,
Anal 13.4
D/A 10.7
LL scale count (average)35.9
Pre- dorsal length to % SL – 76.9 %
Depth to % SL – 18.7 %

Radda, A.C. 2004. Description of a new Species of the Rivuline Genus Rivulus Poey, 1869 Rivulidae, Osteichthyes) from Rio Caura, Bolivar State, Venezuela. Ann. Naturhist. Mus. Wien, 105 B: 24, fig. 2.

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