After Willi Ruhkopf, a German aquarist.

Berkenkamp H.O & Etzel V. 1980.

Epiplatys ruhkopfi spec. nov., eine neue Hechtlingsart aus Liberia (Pisces; Cyprinodontidae).

DKG Journal 12 (11): p 165-176, 9 figures, 2 maps.

71.5 mm (Acording to the original description).

D = 11-13, A = 16-18, D/A = +8-10, ll = 29-30 (+1-4) (Berkenkamp & Etzel 1980)

Epiplatys

fasciolatus

• Epiplatys fasciolatus ruhkopfi Radda & Pürzl 1987
• Aplocheilus ruhkopfi Scheel 1990

• Gbondo (Liberia)
• Kaningali (central Liberia)
• Zienzu
• RL 78 / 55 - Type locality

Given as '55 m north of Kaningali town, between Zienzu & Suakoko, central Liberia). Coded RL 78 / 55.

Presently only known from the area of the type locality. This area is drained by the upper Saint Johns River.
Between Zienzu & Suakoko, near Kaningali Town.

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

A species not often seen. Breeding reports are hard to find. As the fish is closely related to E.coccinatus I would presume breeding is similar.
I talked with a breeder in the UK who said they stopped breeding around October & resumed in the spring.

Adrian Burge reported in BKA newsletter No.426, March 2001. He set fish up in a 12" cubed tank. Rainwater was neutral pH. Eggs were laid on brown floating mops & floating water lettuce. These were taken off & water incubated at a room temperature of 75°F. Hatching occured in 15-20 days. Fry were transferred to another tank with Java moss. Food also included Paramecium for the first few days. After this newly hatched brine shrimp & microworm were fed. These were not fast growers. After 6-7 months they were 3/4 - 1" & just starting to sex out.
Fry were also found in the floating plant. Future fry were scooped out o another tank.
He noted that spawning stopped in October. It was thought that daylight hours might be the reason as the fish house was lit by natural daylight.