Aphyosemion etsamense Sonnenberg & Blum, 2005
Aphyosemion etsamense
photo by Deters, O.

Family:  Nothobranchiidae (African rivulines)
Max. size:  3.24 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: Monts de Cristal, northwestern Gabon (Ref. 56139).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-16; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 15-16. A slender and elongate species (Ref. 56139). The snout is rounded and the mouth directed upwards, the posterior end of mouth at the same level as center of the eye (Ref. 56139). Dorsal fin origin behind origin of anal fin and behind mid-length of body (Ref. 56139). Males have a nearly complete yellow dorsal fin with small irregular red dots only on basal and posterior edge of fin and complete blue colouration with red pigmentation of the sides; the red pigmentation is arranged in horizontal rows of dots which can fuse to closed or irregularly interrupted lines and in some specimens with red reticulation on the caudal peduncle (Ref. 56139). Females have a brown body, dorsally darker than ventrally; red dot at the end of scales, fusing to a reticulated pattern on caudal peduncle; unpaired and pelvic fins transparent with interradial red flames, anal and pelvic fins with traces of a small blueish marginal band, pectoral fins transparent with a small whitish marginal band (Ref. 56139).
Biology:  The species can be found in small rainforest creeks and rivers with slow flowing water (Ref. 56139).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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