Forbesichthys

Forbesichthys
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Percopsiformes
Family: Amblyopsidae
Genus: Forbesichthys
Jordan, 1929
Synonyms

Forbesella Jordan & Evermann, 1927

Forbesichthys is a small genus of Amblyopsiform fishes native to North America, with two recognized species:[1]

  • Forbesichthys agassizii (Putnam, 1872) (spring cavefish)
  • Forbesichthys papilliferus (Forbes, 1882) (Shawnee Hills cavefish)

Despite being cave fish, both species are non-troglomorphic, retaining functioning eyes and pigmented bodies. This is because they venture out from their subterranean habitat to feed in surface waters at night.

References

  1. ^ Fricke, Ron; Eschmeyer, William N. & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Forbesichthys". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 23 November 2025.