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Blue gularis (Fundulopanchax sjostedti) — Nothobranchiidae

Blue gularis

Fundulopanchax sjostedti
EN · Endangered

The Blue gularis (Fundulopanchax sjostedti) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Niger Delta and coastal lowlands of West Africa; swamps and slow streams.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The blue gularis is a large killifish (Nothobranchiidae) from the Niger delta and coastal lowlands of West Africa. The species grows to about 14 cm; males are spectacularly coloured with blue, red and yellow tints and a forked tail with elongated points. It occurs in temporary swamps, raphia swamps and swampy parts of slow-flowing brooks in the swampy coastal rainforest. Unlike many killifishes it is not a true seasonal fish; it is a bottom spawner. As a small predator it hunts insects, small crustaceans and small fishes. Owing to habitat loss the species is regarded as endangered. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue gularis?

The Blue gularis has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a spots pattern. Spectacularly coloured male with a pointed tail; endangered bottom-spawning killifish.

Where does the Blue gularis live?

The Blue gularis lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Niger Delta and coastal lowlands of West Africa; swamps and slow streams.

How big does the Blue gularis get?

The Blue gularis grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Blue gularis dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue gularis is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue gularis edible?

The Blue gularis is not usually eaten.

More photos

Blue gularis (Fundulopanchax sjostedti) — Nothobranchiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) saraalien1, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue gularis (Fundulopanchax sjostedti) — Nothobranchiidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Tommy Kronkvist (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Blue gularis (Fundulopanchax sjostedti) — Nothobranchiidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — The Great Mule of Eupatoria (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Blue gularis verified
Scientific name
Fundulopanchax sjostedti
Family
Nothobranchiidae
Other names
Golden Pheasant Gularis verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked 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
Niger Delta and coastal lowlands of West Africa; swamps and slow streams. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects, small crustaceans and small fishes 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
Spectacularly coloured male with a pointed tail; endangered bottom-spawning 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 Fundulopanchax

More from the family Nothobranchiidae

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