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Aplocheilichthys spilauchen (Duméril, 1861) Banded lampeye |
| Family: | Procatopodidae (African lampeyes), subfamily: Aplocheilichthyinae | |||
| Max. size: | 8 cm TL (male/unsexed); 5.5 cm TL (female) | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish; pH range: 7.5 - 8.5; dH range: 12, non-migratory | |||
| Distribution: | Africa: from mouth of Senegal River in Senegal (Ref. 47311, 57259) to Cuanza River in Angola (Ref. 120641). | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6-8; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 11-14. Diagnosis: Larger and deep-bodied ‘Lampeye’ species, slight lateral compression; dorsal fin rounded, anal fin trapezoid, caudal fin truncated; dorsal fin with 6-8 rays, anal fin with 11-14 rays, displacement between dorsal and anal fins 1/7-8; scales on the mid-lateral series 25-28 (Ref. 57259). Colouration: Male colouration: the basic colour is pale grey-green to olive with a light blue iridescence on the sides; also present on the sides are 10-15 dark grey crossbars which, towards the front break up into spots; the dorsal and anal fins are yellow-green, with grey and silver spots at the base and some grey spots in the posterior parts, arranged into curved bands; the caudal fin is lemon yellow to pale orange with dark grey and silver spots at the upper and lower parts, followed by a narrow orange to red border; the central part of this fin has some curved grey crossbars (Ref. 57259). Female colouration: the body is a translucent silver-grey with a silver abdominal region and lacking the grey crossbars present on the male; all unpaired fins are colourless to pale yellow (Ref. 57259). | |||
| Biology: | Found in brackish water, only rarely entering fresh or marine water (Ref. 57259). Found in coastal swamps, river mouths, lagoons, estuaries and mangrove swamps near beaches (Ref. 3788, 57259). Not a seasonal killifish. Is difficult to maintain in aquarium (Ref. 27139). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 November 2019 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||
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