Aphyosemion cryptum Zee, Walsh, Mikembi, Jonker, Alexandre & Sonnenberg, 2018
A.cryptum M21
Photo courtesy of Jouke van der Zee
Aphyosemion cryptum Zee, Walsh, Mikembi, Jonker, Alexandre & Sonnenberg, 2018
A.cryptum M21
Photo courtesy of Jouke van der Zee
| Meaning of Name |
Hidden. |
| First Description |
Zee, J.R. van der, G. Walsh, V.N.B. Mikembi, M.N. Jonker, M.P. Alexandre, R. Sonnenberg. 2018. Three new endemic Aphyosemion species (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the Massif du Chaillu in the upper Louessé River system, Republic of the Congo. Zootaxa, 4369 (1): 80, figs. 12-13. |
| Size |
5 cm, males. |
| Meristics |
D=10·2, A=14·8, D/A=7·3, ll=31·2. |
| Karyotype | |
| Sub-Genus |
Mesoaphyosemion |
| Group | |
| Synonyms | None |
|
Populations
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|
| Type Locality |
Collected 1·5 km on the road south of
Lisoukou on road R1 to Mossendjo. Tributary of the River Mandoro which
drains into the River Louessé. |
| Distribution |
|
| Habitat |
Small streams with good flow over sand & clay. Habitat is reported to have a higher pH than habitats of A.coeleste, A.cyanoflavum or A.mandoraense. Sympatric species: A.coeleste, A.mandoroense. |
| Distinguishing Characteristics | Lacks a green or yellow patch behind gills in males. |
| Colour/Pattern Variability |
On first sight this species looks like A.coeleste. The difference lies on the front area of the body by the gills. A.cryptum is a fairly uniform blue colour whereas A.coeleste has a series of red horizontal spots forming lines. In some populations these lines are broken.
|
| History |
First collected probably in a collection by Jean Huber, August 1982. Originally thought to be a variant of A.coeleste. This location JH 159, pumping station near Mbinda. Also collected by G. Walsh, M. Alexandre and V. Boukaka Mikembi, 2013. |
| Breeding Notes |
Reported to require clean rainwater, subdued lighting & a temperature below 26°C. Not an easy sp. to breed. |
| Diameter of Egg | |
| Remarks |
