Epiplatys neumanni Berkenkamp 1993

E. neumanni BDBG 07/4
Photo courtesy of Heinz Ott

Meaning of Name

After Dr. Werner Neumann.
First Description

Berkenkamp H.O. 1993.

Wiederbeschreibung des Sangmelima-Hechtlings, Epiplatys sangmelinensis (Ahl 1928) aus Ost-Kamerun, mit der Beschreibung von Epiplatys neumanni spec. nov. aus dem Ivindo-Becken von Nord Gabun.

Wissenschaftliche Publikationen aus dem Referat Fischbestimmung des VDA-Bezirks 25, Weser-Ems, 1993 (1): p 1-20, figures, map.
Size

63 mm
Meristics
  • D = 10-12, A = 16-19, D/A = +6-11, ll = 26-29 +3 (Berkenkamp 1993)
  • D = 8-12, A = 15-18, D/A = +9-12, ll = 27-30 +2-3 (Lambert & Géry 1969)
  • D = 9, A = 16, ll = 29 (Roman 1971)
Karyotype

 
Sub-Genus

 
Group

 
Synonyms
  • Epiplatys (Perepiplatys) ansorgei (non Boulenger 1911) Lambert & Géry 1969
  • Epiplatys aff. sangmelinensis Huber 1978
  • Aplocheilus (Epiplatys) sangmelinensis (non Ahl 1928) Radda 1978
  • Epiplatys sangmelinensis (non Ahl 1928) Wildekamp, Romand & Scheel 1986
  • Epiplatys sangmelinensis neumanni Wildekamp & Zee 1995
Populations
  • Acono
  • Makokou
  • Ovan - (northern Gabon)
  • LEC 93 / 5
  • BDBG 07 / 4
  
Type Locality

The village of Latta located 17 km northeast of Makokou on the road to Mékambo, Province of Ogooué-Ivindo, northern Gabon. This location GWW 86 / 2. Berkenkamp also used preserved specimens from collections by Heinemann, Lenz, Pap, Harz & others in his description.
Distribution

Fairly widespread. They have been found in the Ivindo Basin, the middle Ntem River, upper reaches of the Dja River, some northern tributaries of the Ogowe River (north & northeastern Gabon). The extreme northwest tip of Congo extending into southern Cameroon & eastern Equatorial Guinea.

http://homepage.uibk.ac.at/homepage/c102/c102mr/epiplaty/neumanni.htm
Habitat

Usually found in rainforested areas where they inhabit creeks & small bodies of water.
Distinguishing Characteristics Before this species was described it was often confused with E.sangmelinensis which is a longer, more slender fish. E.neumanni has more pronounced vertical bands on the body. Berkenkamp in the description of E.neumanni stated that the two species could be seperated by the pattern of frontal neuromasts & the colour pattern of the throat.
Colour/Pattern Variability  
History

Collected by -
Géry 1965
Lambert & Géry 1969
Gaspers et al 1974
Heinemann & Bochtler 1977
Heinemann & Lenz 1979
Pap 1980
Wagner & Wendel 1986
Huber 1982 reports a fish called E.spec.aff.sangmelinensis (E.neumanni?) from the northwest Republic of Congo.
Grell 1993
Breeding Notes

Not often seen. Reports suggest they are a shy & difficult species. They have been bred in a tank containing a bottom layer of peat. Lighting should be subdued. For such a shy species it would probably be advisable to cover the front of the tank with a towel or brown paper. Eggs were found in the top mop & in the peat although these would be difficult to find. Not a prolific species. Water incubation takes 12-16 days. Fry are capable of taking newly hatched brine shrimp. Growth rate is regarded as moderate with sexual maturity being attained about 6-7 months.

J.P.Vandersmissen in BKA newsletter No.375, December 1996 reported breeding them in a tank furnished with plants & bogwood with a spawning mop. Water temperature 23°C, pH 6·7, GH 5. Eggs were collected halfway up the tank in the mop & Java moss. Water stored eggs hatched in 18 days. Sex ratio in this species favoured males with 100% males. Neumann found 48 out of 50 raised fish were males.
Diameter of Egg 1·2 mm.
Remarks

With further research E.neumanni may be re-classified as a subspecies of E.sangmelinensis.