Home · Nothobranchiidae · Schioetz's killifish
Schioetz's killifish (Aphyosemion schioetzi) — Nothobranchiidae

Schioetz's killifish

Aphyosemion schioetzi
LC · Least Concern

The Schioetz's killifish (Aphyosemion schioetzi) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Central Africa; vegetated slow-flowing streams in wooded savanna.
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Schioetz's killifish?

Get the app

Description

The Schioetz's killifish is a killifish (Nothobranchiidae) from small forest streams, pools and swamps of the Congo basin in 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 Schioetz's killifish?

The Schioetz's killifish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a spots pattern. Beautifully coloured male; non-annual killifish of vegetated savannah streams.

Where does the Schioetz's killifish live?

The Schioetz's killifish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Central Africa; vegetated slow-flowing streams in wooded savanna.

How big does the Schioetz's killifish get?

The Schioetz's killifish grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Schioetz's killifish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Schioetz's killifish edible?

The Schioetz's killifish is not usually eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Schioetz's killifish?

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

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Schioetz's killifish sourced
Scientific name
Aphyosemion schioetzi
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) 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
Central Africa; vegetated slow-flowing streams in wooded savanna. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small insects, midge larvae and small zooplankton 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 male; non-annual killifish of vegetated savannah 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 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 Schioetz's killifish?

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

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