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Mournful killi (Aphyosemion lugens) — Nothobranchiidae

Mournful killi

Aphyosemion lugens
EN · Endangered

The Mournful killi (Aphyosemion lugens) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The mournful killi is a small, colourful killifish of the family Nothobranchiidae from the coastal rainforest of West-Central Africa. The species grows to only about 5 cm; males are handsomely marked, females plain brownish. It inhabits small forest brooks and pools under dense canopy. Unlike the seasonal killifishes this is not a seasonal species of drying pools. It feeds on small invertebrates and insects. Owing to a restricted range and degradation of its forest habitat the species is listed as Endangered (EN). It is difficult to keep in the aquarium and harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mournful killi?

The Mournful killi has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Mournful killi live?

The Mournful killi lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Mournful killi get?

The Mournful killi grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Mournful killi dangerous to humans?

No, the Mournful killi is harmless to humans.

Is the Mournful killi edible?

The Mournful killi is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Treur-killivis sourced
English name
Mournful killi sourced
Scientific name
Aphyosemion lugens
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown 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
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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