Home · Cyprinodontidae · Anatolian killifish
Anatolian killifish (Aphanius chantrei) — Cyprinodontidae

Anatolian killifish

Aphanius chantrei
Family: Cyprinodontidae

The Anatolian killifish (Aphanius chantrei) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinodontidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Anatolia in Turkey; fresh and brackish streams, spring pools and lagoons.
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Anatolian killifish?

Get the app

Description

The Anatolian killifish is a small egg-laying toothcarp (Aphaniidae) from Anatolia in Turkey. The species grows to a few centimetres; males have a pattern of alternating light and dark crossbars, females are plainer. It inhabits fresh and brackish waters such as streams, spring pools and lagoons and tolerates varying conditions. It is not a seasonal killifish. As an omnivore it feeds on algae, detritus and small invertebrates. It is easy to keep in the aquarium and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Anatolian killifish?

The Anatolian killifish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Male with pale and dark vertical bars; tolerant of brackish water, not a seasonal killifish.

Where does the Anatolian killifish live?

The Anatolian killifish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Anatolia in Turkey; fresh and brackish streams, spring pools and lagoons.

How big does the Anatolian killifish get?

The Anatolian killifish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Anatolian killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Anatolian killifish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Anatolian killifish edible?

The Anatolian killifish is not usually eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Anatolian killifish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Anatolian killifish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Anatolian killifish sourced
Scientific name
Aphanius chantrei
Family
Cyprinodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Straight 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
Anatolia in Turkey; fresh and brackish streams, spring pools and lagoons. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, detritus and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Male with pale and dark vertical bars; tolerant of brackish water, not a seasonal killifish. 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 Aphanius

Aci Gölü toothcarp (Aphanius transgrediens) — Cyprinodontidae
Aci Gölü toothcarp
Aphanius transgrediens
Cyprinodontidae
 Anatolian killifish (Aphanius anatoliae) — Cyprinodontidae
Anatolian killifish (Aphanius anatoliae)
Cyprinodontidae
 Arabian pupfish (Aphanius dispar) — Cyprinodontidae
Arabian pupfish
Aphanius dispar
Cyprinodontidae
 Azraq toothcarp (Aphanius sirhani) — Cyprinodontidae
Azraq toothcarp
Aphanius sirhani
Cyprinodontidae
 Burdur toothcarp (Aphanius sureyanus) — Cyprinodontidae
Burdur toothcarp
Aphanius sureyanus
Cyprinodontidae
 Danford's toothcarp (Aphanius danfordii) — Cyprinodontidae
Danford's toothcarp
Aphanius danfordii
Cyprinodontidae

More from the family Cyprinodontidae

Aci Gölü toothcarp (Aphanius transgrediens) — Cyprinodontidae
Aci Gölü toothcarp
Aphanius transgrediens
Cyprinodontidae
 Agassiz's orestias (Orestias agassizii) — Cyprinodontidae
Agassiz's orestias
Orestias agassizii
Cyprinodontidae
 Amargosa pupfish (Cyprinodon nevadensis) — Cyprinodontidae
Amargosa pupfish
Cyprinodon nevadensis
Cyprinodontidae
 Anatolian killifish (Aphanius anatoliae) — Cyprinodontidae
Anatolian killifish (Aphanius anatoliae)
Cyprinodontidae
 Andean pupfish (Orestias frontosus) — Cyprinodontidae
Andean pupfish
Orestias frontosus
Cyprinodontidae
 Arabian pupfish (Aphanius dispar) — Cyprinodontidae
Arabian pupfish
Aphanius dispar
Cyprinodontidae
 Azraq toothcarp (Aphanius sirhani) — Cyprinodontidae
Azraq toothcarp
Aphanius sirhani
Cyprinodontidae
 Blackfin pupfish (Cyprinodon beltrani) — Cyprinodontidae
Blackfin pupfish
Cyprinodon beltrani
Cyprinodontidae
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Anatolian killifish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Anatolian killifish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Anatolian killifish? Get the app