Spotted killifish
📖 Overview
Found on temporary pools, floodplains, swamps, rice fields, ditches and small streams . A slow-moving fish usually found in sections of a river where aquatic vegetation provide some cover (probably as a means of avoiding predators). Feeds on mosquito larvae, small crustaceans and other aquatic organisms . Used for mosquito larva control. Collection for the aquarium trade is controlled . Bottom spawner, 3-5 months incubation; it is difficult to maintain in aquarium .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 16; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14 - 17.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Spotted killifish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
The spotted killifish consumes both aquatic invertebrates and vertebrates, its diet consists mainly of juvenile lungfish (Protopterus annectens) and larval amphibia. In addition to these, this species also consumes a relatively high proportion of insect larvae from the orders Odonata, Coleoptera and Ephemeroptera. Diets such as these may be deemed as profitable for the trade-offs in item size and ease of catching.
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.5 - 7.5; dH range: ? - 15; non-migratory. Tropical; 23°C - 30°C south to the Mkuze River, in Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
mosquito larvae, small crustaceans and other aquatic organisms (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adinias troemneri | Myers | 1926 | Synonym |
| Adiniops troemneri | Myers | 1926 | Synonym |
| Cyprinodon orthonotus | Peters | 1844 | Synonym |
| Fundulus mkuziensis | Fowler | 1934 | Synonym |
| Fundulus orthonotus | Peters | 1844 | Synonym |
| Hydrargyra maculata | Peters | 1855 | Synonym |
| Nothobranchius maculatus | Peters | 1855 | Synonym |
| Nothobranchius mayeri | Ahl | 1935 | Synonym |
| Nothobranchius mkuziensis | Fowler | 1934 | Synonym |
| Nothobranchius troemneri | Myers | 1926 | Synonym |
| Notobranchius mayeri | Ahl | 1935 | Synonym |
| Notobranchius orthonotus | Peters | 1844 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Spotted killifish.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 31 records indexed .
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