| Family: |
Elassomatidae (Pygmy sunfishes) |
| Max. size: |
|
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
North America: endemic to Moss Spring and (historically) adjacent springs in the middle Tennessee River drainage in Alabama, U.S.A. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 1-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-13; Anal spines: 1-3; Anal soft rays: 5-8. Transverse scale rows: 10-13. Distinguished from all other family members by having 3 or less dorsal spines (versus 7 or more), 6-7 broad dark bars along flanks (versus 7 or more), 16-18 peduncle scale rows (versus 18-24). |
| Biology: |
Found on sand, clay, mud and/or limestone substrate commonly associated with rooted, submerged vegetation (Ref. 58011). Oviparous, eggs are deposited in aquatic vegetation, preferably on strands of Ceratophyllum sp. when available (Ref. 58020). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Critically Endangered (CR); Date assessed: 28 November 2011 (B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv)) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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