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Spanish toothcarp

Valencia hispanica

Also known as Valencia toothcarp, Valencia killifish, Samaruc

FreshwaterFish

Spanish toothcarp (Valencia hispanica)

Care at a glance

Temperature
54–79°F
12–26°C
pH
7.0–8.5
Adult size
3 in
7.5 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Egg scatterer · Hard
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Valenciidae
Origin
Endemic to coastal wetlands, lagoons, and springs of eastern Spain around Valencia and southern Catalonia.

Overview

The Spanish toothcarp is a small killifish for a cool, planted species tank. It is a fish for experienced keepers.

Did you know

The Spanish toothcarp is one of Europe's most endangered freshwater fish, listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Hobbyist and government breeding programs are part of what keeps it from going extinct. Regional programs have released captive-bred fish back into Spanish wetlands such as the Albufera lagoon.

Caring for the Spanish toothcarp

Give a small group of Spanish toothcarp a well-planted tank of at least 20 gal (75 L), with space and plant cover. They need cooler, harder water than most killifish. Keep the water at 54 to 79°F (12 to 26°C), hard and neutral to alkaline, with a pH of 7.0 to 8.5. Give them a cooler rest in winter.

Feed live and frozen crustaceans and insect larvae, such as daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm. Males can be territorial, so keep the group in a species tank.

Both sexes are silvery with rows of shiny spots, and males show more color in the fins. The Spanish toothcarp is a short-lived multiple spawner. It scatters small batches of eggs on plants through spring and summer, and breeding it is hard.

Good to know

Valencia hispanica is a non-annual, temperate toothcarp and one of the only living members of its family, Valenciidae. Habitat loss and introduced mosquitofish have hit it hard. It also goes by Valencia toothcarp and samaruc.

In the wild

The Spanish toothcarp is found only in eastern Spain, around Valencia and southern Catalonia. It lives in slow or still coastal wetlands with dense plants, including lagoons, marshes and spring-fed pools. Its home has a temperate climate.

Common questions

What size tank does a Spanish toothcarp need?

A Spanish toothcarp needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Spanish toothcarp need?

A Spanish toothcarp is comfortable at 54–79°F (12–26°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.5.

What does a Spanish toothcarp eat?

A Spanish toothcarp eats live and frozen crustaceans and insect larvae, such as daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm.

How big does a Spanish toothcarp get?

An adult Spanish toothcarp reaches about 3 in (7.5 cm).

How can you tell a male Spanish toothcarp from a female?

Males show more color in the fins than females. Both sexes are silvery with rows of shiny spots.

How does a Spanish toothcarp breed?

The Spanish toothcarp is a short-lived multiple spawner that scatters small batches of eggs on plants through spring and summer. Breeding it is hard.

Related species