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Guignard's killifish (Scriptaphyosemion guignardi) — Nothobranchiidae

Guignard's killifish

Scriptaphyosemion guignardi
LC · Least Concern

The Guignard's killifish (Scriptaphyosemion guignardi) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Guignard's killifish is a West African killifish (Nothobranchiidae) from small forest streams, pools and swamps of West Africa. The species grows to about 5 cm; males are brightly coloured with red and blue spots and coloured fin margins. As a fish of shallow, often temporary and oxygen-poor water it snaps at insect larvae, small crustaceans and worms; its eggs can survive a dry period in the soil. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Guignard's killifish?

The Guignard's killifish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Guignard's killifish live?

The Guignard's killifish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Guignard's killifish get?

The Guignard's killifish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Guignard's killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Guignard's killifish is harmless to humans.

Is the Guignard's killifish edible?

The Guignard's killifish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Guignards prachtkilli sourced
English name
Guignard's killifish sourced
Scientific name
Scriptaphyosemion guignardi
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Average length (cm)
4.0 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
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 verified

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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