rivulus

[riv-yuh-luhs]

noun

plural

rivulus 

1. any of several killifishes of the genus Rivulus, native to small streams of tropical America, often kept in aquariums.

Word History and Origins

Origin of rivulus¹

< New Latin, Latin: rivulet

Example Sentences

Turko co-authored a recent study on the mangrove rivulus, a fish that leaps on land when its tropical waters get too warm.

Read more on National Geographic

A number of amphibious fish have the ability to catapult onto dry land, but the rivulus lives in the tropics and subtropics, where humidity is high and water and air temperatures are roughly the same.

Read more on National Geographic

For instance, mangrove rivulus “have specialized skin that takes on many of the roles of gills,” such as maintaining salt levels, Turko says.

Read more on National Geographic

But many fish, like the mangrove rivulus, have adaptations that let them breathe air.

Read more on National Geographic

So it makes sense for the rivulus and other amphibious fish to find cooler ground, he says.

Read more on National Geographic