Aplocheilichthys spilauchen (Duméril 1859)

CI 06. USA import. Photo courtesy of Tony Terceira.

Meaning of Name

 
First Description

 
Size

7 cm
Meristics
  • D = 7-8, A = 13-14, ll = 25-28 (ref. Sterba)
Karyotype

 
Sub-Genus

 
Group

 
Synonyms
  • Aplocheilichthys bensonii (Peters 1864)
  • Aplocheilichthys tschiloangensis Ahl 1928
  • Aplocheilichthys typus Bleeker 1863

Populations

  • Cape Sierra (Sierra Leone)

2003 import into the AKA. Wild fish.
Photo courtesy of Tony Terceira.

2006 import into the AKA. Wild fish.
Photo courtesy of Tony Terceira.

Photo: Courtesy of Ed Pürzl

 

Cape Sierra - Collected by John Parker, Fred Wright & Rod Roberts in Sierra Leone in the early part of 1976.
Type Locality

 
Distribution

 
Habitat

Wide ranging habitats. Found in brackish lagoons & brackish mangrove swamps.

Distinguishing Characteristics  
Colour/Pattern Variability A deep bodied sp. with vertical lines in the rear half of the body.
History

Boulenger gives the following collectors / locations in his 1915 Catalogue.

  • 1. Collected by Dr.W.J.Ansorge at Bafata, Geba River, Portuguese Guinea.
  • 2-7. Collected by Major G.E.Bruce in mangrove swamps, Lagos.
  • 8-12. Collected by Dr.W.J.Ansorge at Degama, Lower Niger.
  • 13. Collected by J.P.Arnold at Warri, Lower Niger.
  • 14-15. Collected by J.P.Arnold in Old Calabar.
  • 16-18. Collected by Miss Kingsley in Old Calabar.
  • 19-23. Collected by G.L.Bates in the Benito River area, Spanish Guinea.
  • 24. As above.
  • 25. Collected by R.B.N.Walker in Gabon.
  • 26-35. As above.
  • 36. Collected by Miss Kingsley at Ogowe.
  • 37-38. Collected by Dr.W.J.Ansorge in Chiloango Town, Portuguese Congo.

I am struck here by the collections of Miss Kingsley. Who was she & how did she become involved in collecting fish to the extent of supplying Boulenger in the early 1900's?

History of the synonym Aplocheilichthys tschiloangensis (Ahl 1928)

Described from Landama, Cabinda, Lower Congo.
Breeding Notes

A report appeared in BKA newsletter No.87, November 1972 in which marine salt was added to the strength of SG 1·006. Eggs were laid in a bottom mop & were observed to be in clumps of 4-8. Eggs were taken out & incubated in a tub excluding light. Embryo development was apparent at 4 days with hatching ocurring between 18-22 days. Newly hatched fry were observed rarely to leave the water surface & swam awkwardly. Feeding presented problems as they seemed too slow to catch newly hatched brine shrimp. It was observed they were feeding from a surface scum.
The strength of the fry noticably increased around 12-14 days were they were able to catch brine shrimp.
Egg yield was observed at 25 eggs per day, per pair.
Diameter of Egg 'Approaching' 2 mm
Remarks

This sp. is particularly susceptible to velvet but will tolerate salt to brackish levels..