The Lake Eustis pupfish is a small fish that can reach up to three inches (7.6 centimeters) in total body length. This species generally has a light brown body with dark vertical stripes around the body and a white dorsum (back), except for breeding males who have a blue back with a clear tail and back fin (Florida Natural Areas Inventory 2001).
Habitat & Range
The Lake Eustis pupfish inhabits freshwater lakes along clean, white sandy beaches subject to heavy wave action in areas largely devoid of vegetation in Lake, Marion, and Orange counties (Gilbert et al. 1992).
Life History
The diet of the Lake Eustis pupfish primarily consists of crustaceans and aquatic insect larvae (Johnson and Snelson 1978).
Little is known about the reproduction of the Lake Eustis pupfish.Β Female pupfish spawn throughout the year, with the female carrying seven to 29 eggs at one time. During spawning, the males will develop nests by constructing depressions in the sand while vigorously defending it from other males. Females are not chased away and are courted instead (Johnson and Snelson 1978).
