Blind Cavefish
(Astyanax mexicanus)
-
Animal Type
Fish
-
Exhibits
-
Range
North America
Overview
Blind cavefish live in warm, dark caves in fresh water. Because there's no sunlight where they live, their skin is almost translucent, appearing milky white or light pink.
As their name suggests, blind cavefish can't see, and don't have any eyes at all. Instead, they use their extra-sensitive lateral line system to navigate. This sensory organ allows the fish to detect vibrations and water currents, which helps them find prey, avoid predators, and navigate.
Quick Facts
Learn more about blind cavefish! Did you know these fish start to develop eyes that deteriorate before they're born?
They live throughout Central America in dark caves with bodies of fresh water, like lakes and rivers.
Blind cavefish eat worms, snails, debris, and the remains of plants and animals.
They can grow up to 3.5 inches long and weigh only a few grams.
Their population is stable.
Larger fish prey on blind cavefish.
Explore Exhibit Residents
Learn more about the animals that share an exhibit with this one.
Peacock Mantis Shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus)
The shrimp’s own hard-shelled body is bursting with color—hues of bright red, green, orange and blue, and its forearms are covered in spots.
Anemones (Actiniaria)
Sea anemones are named after and resemble flowers.
Longhorn Cowfish (Lactoria cornuta)
This charismatic fish is easily recognizable by its long horns that protrude from the front of its head.
Longnose Gar (Lepisosteus osseus)
Gar's are known as living fossils
Spotfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ocellatus)
The black bar across this fish's eye confuses predators.