Home · Nothobranchiidae · Ahl's killi
Ahl's killi (Aphyosemion ahli) — Nothobranchiidae

Ahl's killi

Aphyosemion ahli
LC · Least Concern

The Ahl's killi (Aphyosemion ahli) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Central Africa (Cameroon), in swamps, quiet stream sections and floodplain pools of the coastal rainforest.
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Ahl's killi?

Get the app

Description

Aphyosemion ahli is a small, colourful killifish (family Nothobranchiidae) of the coastal rainforest of Central Africa. The species reaches about 6 cm and has a slender body; the males are brightly coloured in red, blue and yellow, while the females are plainer. It lives in swamps, quiet parts of brooks and flood pools, usually in shallow water over a mud bottom and among fallen leaves. Its diet consists mainly of insects and insect larvae. The species is harmless to humans, is not eaten and is popular in the aquarium hobby.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ahl's killi?

The Ahl's killi has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a spots pattern. Colourful males; lives in shallow water over mud and among fallen leaves; insect-eater.

Where does the Ahl's killi live?

The Ahl's killi lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Central Africa (Cameroon), in swamps, quiet stream sections and floodplain pools of the coastal rainforest.

How big does the Ahl's killi get?

The Ahl's killi grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Ahl's killi dangerous to humans?

No, the Ahl's killi is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Ahl's killi edible?

The Ahl's killi is not usually eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Ahl's killi?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Ahl's killi is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Ahl's killi sourced
Scientific name
Aphyosemion ahli
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Central Africa (Cameroon), in swamps, quiet stream sections and floodplain pools of the coastal rainforest. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects and insect larvae sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Colourful males; lives in shallow water over mud and among fallen leaves; insect-eater. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Aphyosemion

More from the family Nothobranchiidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Ahl's killi?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Ahl's killi is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Ahl's killi? Get the app