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Heinemann's killifish (Aphyosemion heinemanni) — Nothobranchiidae

Heinemann's killifish

Aphyosemion heinemanni

The Heinemann's killifish (Aphyosemion heinemanni) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Heinemann's killifish is a killifish (Nothobranchiidae) from small forest streams, pools and swamps of Gabon in West-Central Africa. The species grows to about 5 cm; males are brightly coloured with red, blue and yellow spots and coloured fin margins, females stay an inconspicuous brown. As a fish of shallow, often shaded and oxygen-poor water it snaps at insect larvae, small crustaceans and worms; many species lay their eggs among leaf litter. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Heinemann's killifish?

The Heinemann's killifish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Heinemann's killifish live?

The Heinemann's killifish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Heinemann's killifish get?

The Heinemann's killifish grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Heinemann's killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Heinemann's killifish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Heinemanns prachtkilli sourced
English name
Heinemann's killifish sourced
Scientific name
Aphyosemion heinemanni
Family
Nothobranchiidae
Other names
Heinemann's killi sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Aphyosemion

More from the family Nothobranchiidae

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