Moema (fish)

Moema
Holotype of Moema juanderibaensis
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cyprinodontiformes
Family: Rivulidae
Genus: Moema
W. J. E. M. Costa, 1989
Type species
Moema piriana
Costa, 1989
Synonyms

Aphyolebias Costa, 1998

Moema is a genus of fish in the family Rivulidae. These annual killifish are mostly restricted to the Amazon basin in Bolivia, Brazil and Peru, but a few inhabit the upper Essequibo basin in Guyana, upper Orinoco basin in Venezuela and upper Paraguay basin in Brazil. They inhabit temporary waters, such as swamps or ponds, in primary forests. Once the water disappears, the adults die, but the eggs that have been laid in the bottom remain, only hatching after 3–10 months when the water returns. They rapidly reach adult size, but generally only live a few months after hatching, although captives (not subjected to disappearing water) can live longer.

They are small fish, with the largest species up to 18 cm (7.1 in) in total length.