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Guinean killi (Archiaphyosemion guineense) — Nothobranchiidae

Guinean killi

Archiaphyosemion guineense
LC · Least Concern

The Guinean killi (Archiaphyosemion guineense) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
West Africa; pools and small rivulets in the savanna.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Guinea killi is a small killifish of the family Nothobranchiidae from West Africa. The species grows to about 7 cm; males are handsomely coloured with red and blue-green tints and mottled fins, females plainer. It inhabits pools and small streams in the savanna. As a small hunter it feeds on small zooplankton, insects and small invertebrates just below the water surface. Unlike the true seasonal killifishes this is not a strictly seasonal species. It is popular with killifish hobbyists. Owing to its small size the species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Guinean killi?

The Guinean killi has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern. Males attractively red and blue-green with marbled fins; small savanna killifish of pools and streams.

Where does the Guinean killi live?

The Guinean killi lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. West Africa; pools and small rivulets in the savanna.

How big does the Guinean killi get?

The Guinean killi grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Guinean killi dangerous to humans?

No, the Guinean killi is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Guinean killi edible?

The Guinean killi is not usually eaten.

More photos

Guinean killi (Archiaphyosemion guineense) — Nothobranchiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Gina Walsh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Guinean killi (Archiaphyosemion guineense) — Nothobranchiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Gina Walsh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Guinean killi (Archiaphyosemion guineense) — Nothobranchiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Gina Walsh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Guinean killi (Archiaphyosemion guineense) — Nothobranchiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Gina Walsh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Guinean killi verified
Scientific name
Archiaphyosemion guineense
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange 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
Natural range
West Africa; pools and small rivulets in the savanna. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton, insects 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
Males attractively red and blue-green with marbled fins; small savanna killifish of pools and streams. 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

More from the family Nothobranchiidae

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