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Peters' killi (Nimbapanchax petersi) — Nothobranchiidae

Peters' killi

Nimbapanchax petersi
LC · Least Concern

The Peters' killi (Nimbapanchax petersi) 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

Peters' killi is a very small egg-laying toothcarp of the family Nothobranchiidae reaching about 5 cm. The sexes differ strongly: males shine blue-green with red spots and yellow fin edges, while females are inconspicuously brown. The species lives in slow-flowing and still fresh water of forest streams, pools and swamps in West Africa, such as Liberia, Ivory Coast and Guinea, often among dense bankside vegetation. Just below the surface it hunts small zooplankton, insects and larvae. In the rainy season it lays its eggs among fine water plants or in leaf litter. Because of its colour it is popular in the killifish hobby aquarium, but it demands soft, clean water.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Peters' killi?

The Peters' killi has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Peters' killi live?

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

How big does the Peters' killi get?

The Peters' killi grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Peters' killi dangerous to humans?

No, the Peters' killi is harmless to humans.

Is the Peters' killi edible?

The Peters' killi is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Peters killivis inferred
English name
Peters' killi inferred
Scientific name
Nimbapanchax petersi
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater verified
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
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 Nimbapanchax

More from the family Nothobranchiidae

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