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Mt. Nimba lampeye (Rhexipanchax nimbaensis) — Poeciliidae

Mt. Nimba lampeye

Rhexipanchax nimbaensis
Family: Poeciliidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Mt. Nimba lampeye (Rhexipanchax nimbaensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
West Africa; mountain streams, swamps and small rivers.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The lampeye is a small lampeye (Procatopodidae) from West Africa. The species is small and has a slender, translucent body with the iridescent upper eye typical of lampeyes. It lives in small rivers, swamps and brooks in mountainous areas and, unlike many relatives, is not a seasonal killifish. At the surface it snaps at small insects, mosquito larvae and small zooplankton. Owing to a very limited range the species is considered vulnerable. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mt. Nimba lampeye?

The Mt. Nimba lampeye has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Glossy upper part of the eye; mountain-stream lampeye, not a seasonal killifish, vulnerable because of its limited range.

Where does the Mt. Nimba lampeye live?

The Mt. Nimba lampeye lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. West Africa; mountain streams, swamps and small rivers.

How big does the Mt. Nimba lampeye get?

The Mt. Nimba lampeye grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Mt. Nimba lampeye dangerous to humans?

No, the Mt. Nimba lampeye is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Mt. Nimba lampeye edible?

The Mt. Nimba lampeye is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Mt. Nimba lampeye verified
Scientific name
Rhexipanchax nimbaensis
Family
Poeciliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain 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; mountain streams, swamps and small rivers. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small insects, midge larvae and small zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Glossy upper part of the eye; mountain-stream lampeye, not a seasonal killifish, vulnerable because of its limited range. 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 Rhexipanchax

More from the family Poeciliidae

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