Fundulus grandis
(Baird and Girard 1853)
Family Fundulidae

Lateral view of Gulf killifish
The photo above shows a breeding male Gulf killifish, top, and an adult Gulf killifish, bottom. These fish are now part of the Florida Museum ichthyology collection. Top: UF 237216 Bottom: UF 187946 Florida Museum photo by Zachary Randall

The Gulf killifish is a member of the topminnow family. This species has a robust body, a blunt snout and deep caudal peduncle. The body is silver-gray to blue-green on the back and upper side, and white to orange-yellow below. Gulf killifish have light blue-green to yellow spots on the side body and on the dorsal, caudal and anal fins. There are five pores on each mandible. The Gulf killifish is a marine species that lives along the coast. It’s most common in vegetated shorelines, and enters nearby bodies of fresh water.

Status & distribution

  • Status — Marine invader
  • Florida Distribution — Western and North Central drainages, the Gulf Coast, South Florida and the Atlantic Coast
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