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Chaytor's killi (Scriptaphyosemion chaytori) — Nothobranchiidae

Chaytor's killi

Scriptaphyosemion chaytori
VU · Vulnerable

The Chaytor's killi (Scriptaphyosemion chaytori) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Chaytor's killi is an egg-laying toothcarp (Nothobranchiidae) from West Africa. The male is handsomely coloured with red and blue-green tints and coloured fin margins; the female is inconspicuous. Unlike the annual killifishes this species has no strict drought dormancy and lives in more permanent forest streams and swamps. At the surface it snaps small insects, mosquito larvae and small zooplankton. Through habitat loss it is considered vulnerable. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chaytor's killi?

The Chaytor's killi has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Chaytor's killi live?

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

How big does the Chaytor's killi get?

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

Is the Chaytor's killi dangerous to humans?

No, the Chaytor's killi is harmless to humans.

Is the Chaytor's killi edible?

The Chaytor's killi is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Chaytors killivis sourced
English name
Chaytor's killi sourced
Scientific name
Scriptaphyosemion chaytori
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Spots 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
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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 Scriptaphyosemion

More from the family Nothobranchiidae

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