Home · Nothobranchiidae · Riggenbach's killifish
Riggenbach's killifish (Aphyosemion riggenbachi) — Nothobranchiidae

Riggenbach's killifish

Aphyosemion riggenbachi
LC · Least Concern

The Riggenbach's killifish (Aphyosemion riggenbachi) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Cameroon in West-Central Africa; streams in the coastal rainforest.
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Riggenbach's killifish?

Get the app

Description

The Riggenbach's killifish is a killifish (Nothobranchiidae) from small forest streams, pools and swamps of Cameroon in West-Central Africa. The species grows to about 5 cm; males are brightly coloured with red, blue and yellow spots and coloured fin margins, females stay an inconspicuous brown. As a fish of shallow, often shaded and oxygen-poor water it snaps at insect larvae, small crustaceans and worms; many species lay their eggs among leaf litter. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Riggenbach's killifish?

The Riggenbach's killifish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a spots pattern. Beautifully coloured small rainforest killifish from Cameroon; not a seasonal killifish.

Where does the Riggenbach's killifish live?

The Riggenbach's killifish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Cameroon in West-Central Africa; streams in the coastal rainforest.

How big does the Riggenbach's killifish get?

The Riggenbach's killifish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Riggenbach's killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Riggenbach's killifish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Riggenbach's killifish edible?

The Riggenbach's killifish is not usually eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Riggenbach's killifish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Riggenbach's killifish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Riggenbach's killifish sourced
Scientific name
Aphyosemion riggenbachi
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
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
Open water sourced
Natural range
Cameroon in West-Central Africa; streams in the coastal rainforest. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton, insect larvae 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
Beautifully coloured small rainforest killifish from Cameroon; not a seasonal 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 verified
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 Aphyosemion

More from the family Nothobranchiidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Riggenbach's killifish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Riggenbach's killifish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Riggenbach's killifish? Get the app