Gulf killifish ( '' Fundulus grandis '' ) is one of the largest members of the genus '' Fundulus '' ; it is capable of growing up to 18 cm in length , whereas the majority of other '' Fundulus '' reach a maximum length of 10 cm . Therefore , '' F. grandis '' is among the largest minnows preyed upon by many sport fish , such as flounder , speckled trout , and red drum . '' Fundulus '' derives from the Latin meaning " bottom , " and '' grandis '' means " large " . The Gulf killifish is native the Gulf of Mexico from Texas to Florida and the eastern coast of Florida to Cuba in the Atlantic Ocean . Threats to the survival of the Gulf killifish include extreme changes in salinity , changes in temperatures , and toxic events such as the hypoxic dead zone in Louisiana and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill . The Gulf killifish is currently being used to test the effects of oil and oil dispersants on the physiology of marine species affected by these substances . This is significant to conservation biology , because with the continued extraction of oil and other natural resources from North American waters , it has become increasingly important to understand the risks and consequences in worst-case scenarios , such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill , and the lasting effects on the marine ecosystem
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Gulf killifish