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💧 Freshwater Endangered 🌡️ Tropical

Nothobranchius Kwalensis

Nothobranchius kwalensis Costa, 2019
Max Length
4.2 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.2
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
-
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
pelagic

📖 Overview

Nothobranchius Kwalensis (Nothobranchius kwalensis), first described by Costa, 2019 is a tiny fish in the family Nothobranchiidae (order Cyprinodontiformes). Adults typically reach 4.20 cm in maximum length. It inhabits freshwater systems including rivers, streams, and lakes. It occurs in Tropical waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Endangered.

Scientific Name
Nothobranchius kwalensis
Authority
Costa, 2019
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
EN
Max Length
4.2 cm
Trophic Level
3.2
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 16; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 16 - 18. Diagnosis: Nothobranchius kwalensis is distinguished from all other congeners of the N. melanospilus complex by the combination of the following morphological character states: lower jaw not anteriorly projecting beyond upper jaw vs. anteriorly projecting in N. prognathus; dorsal-fin origin anterior to anal fin origin in females vs. posterior in both sexes in N. melanospilus; pelvic fins medially in contact vs. bases medially united in males of N. prognathus; presence of two longitudinal series of scales on frontal region vs. three in N. prognathus; anterior supraorbital series of neuromasts divided in two sections vs. arranged in a single continuous row in N. melanospilus; mandibular neuromasts 14-16 vs. 17-21 in N. melanospilus; in females, few rounded black dots on anterior portion of flank vs. dots absent on anterior portion of flank in N. melanospilus; body depth 28.7-30.9% of standard length in males, 25.8% of standard length in female, vs. 32.7-35.5% and 32.1-33.4% of standard length respectively in N. prognathus; dorsal-fin base length 24.1-27.3% of standard length in males vs. 27.9-29.9% of standard length in N. prognathus; head depth 79.0-82.9% of head length in males, 69.5% in female, vs. 90.4-99.2% and 85.6-90.3% of head length respectively in N. prognathus; eye diameter 26.8-28.4% of head length in males, 27.1% in female vs. 20.9-25.9% and 21.1-24.4% respectively in N. prognathus . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Nothobranchius Kwalensis is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; pelagic. Tropical

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater 🐟 Pelagic
Trophic Level
3.2±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00603 × L3.13 (TL)
Max TL
4.2cm
Dorsal Rays
15
Anal Rays
17

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Endangered
Assessment Date
2020

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Fishing Vulnerability
10.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.2
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Costa, 2019

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