Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cyprinodontiformes (Rivulines, killifishes and live bearers) >
Nothobranchiidae (African rivulines)
Etymology: Aphyosemion: Greek, aphye, -es, sardine, anchovy + Greek, semeion = mark, signal (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; pelagic; pH range: 5.7 - ?; non-migratory; depth range 0 - ? m. Tropical; 23°C - ?
Africa: known from a limited number of localities between Libreville and Cap Esterias in north-western Gabon (Ref. 80395) and Owendo area south of Libreville in Gabon (Ref. 119374).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 50.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 80395); 40.0 cm TL (female)
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 13 - 15; Vertebrae: 24 - 25. Diagnosis: This is a fairly large species of the subgenus Chromaphyosemion, larger than all its congeners with the exception of Aphyosemion riggenbachi, which has the most forward placed dorsal fin (Ref. 41203). It is a strictly blue phenotype with a unique red marking on the sides of the body with the exception of the gill lids, with two conspicuous, mood-dependent dark longitudinal bands, with a red dotted dorsal fin, a flamed caudal fin and an "undrawn" anal fin, except for a thin red submarginal and white marginal band, with longer trapezoidal vertical unpaired fins and a caudal fin with short extracts in the males; the female also shows the alpha-shaped mark, with striking, dark bandages and an anal fin without spots, but without a dark mesh pattern around the scales on the sides of the body (Ref. 41203).
This species is found in clear creeks under forest cover, usually over a sandy soil, in the coastal plain (Ref. 80395).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturities | Reproduction | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larvae
van der Zee, J.R., T. Woeltjes and R.H. Wildekamp, 2008. Aplocheilidae Bleeker, 1860. p. 80-240. In M.L.J. Stiassny, G.G. Teugels and C.D. Hopkins (eds.) Poissons d'eaux douces et saumâtres de basse Guinée, ouest de l'Afrique centrale/The fresh and brackish water fishes of Lower Guinea, west-central Africa. Volume 2. Collection Faune et Flore tropicales 42. Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Paris, France, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France and Musée Royal de l’Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, Belgium. 603 p. (Ref. 80395)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: potential
Tools
Special reports
Download XML
Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01096 (0.00449 - 0.02680), b=2.92 (2.71 - 3.13), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.7 ±0.5 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate vulnerability (40 of 100).
