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Wachters' killifish (Aphyosemion wachtersi) — Nothobranchiidae

Wachters' killifish

Aphyosemion wachtersi
LC · Least Concern

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

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

Description

Wachters' killifish is a small killifish from forested streams of Gabon in West Africa. The species grows to about 5 cm; males are colourful with red spots and coloured fin edges, females are dull brown. It lives in calm, shaded forest brooks and feeds on small zooplankton and insect larvae. The fish is harmless to humans, occurs in the aquarium trade and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Wachters' killifish?

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

Where does the Wachters' killifish live?

The Wachters' killifish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Wachters' killifish get?

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

Is the Wachters' killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Wachters' killifish is harmless to humans.

Is the Wachters' killifish edible?

The Wachters' killifish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Wachters killivis verified
English name
Wachters' killifish verified
Scientific name
Aphyosemion wachtersi
Family
Nothobranchiidae

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
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

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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