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Roloff's killifish (Epiplatys roloffi) — Nothobranchiidae

Roloff's killifish

Epiplatys roloffi
EN · Endangered

The Roloff's killifish (Epiplatys roloffi) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northern Liberia
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Roloff's killifish is a small killifish endemic to northern Liberia in West Africa, around Salayea. The species grows to about 6 cm and has an elongate, pike-like body with a flattened back and an upturned mouth, adapted to hunting just below the water surface. It lives in brooks, swamps and small streams in tropical fresh water. It is an egg-laying, non-seasonal killifish regarded as difficult to keep. Because of its very limited range and habitat loss the species is listed as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Roloff's killifish?

The Roloff's killifish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a spots pattern. Small pike-like surface hunter; oviparous, non-seasonal killifish

Where does the Roloff's killifish live?

The Roloff's killifish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Northern Liberia

How big does the Roloff's killifish get?

The Roloff's killifish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Roloff's killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Roloff's killifish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Roloff's killifish edible?

The Roloff's killifish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Roloff's killifish verified
Scientific name
Epiplatys roloffi
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Natural range
Northern Liberia verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects and small invertebrates at the surface inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Oviparous stream and swamp fish; reproduces in the rainy season. sourced
Special features
Small pike-like surface hunter; oviparous, non-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 sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Epiplatys

More from the family Nothobranchiidae

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