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Schmitt's killi (Scriptaphyosemion schmitti) — Nothobranchiidae

Schmitt's killi

Scriptaphyosemion schmitti

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

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

Schmitt's killi is a small egg-laying toothcarp (Nothobranchiidae) from fresh water of coastal plains in Liberia and nearby in West Africa. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender body; males are handsomely blue-green with red spots and yellow-red edged fins, females are inconspicuously brownish. It lives in small forest streams and swamps and eats small invertebrates and insect larvae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Schmitt's killi?

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

Where does the Schmitt's killi live?

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

How big does the Schmitt's killi get?

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

Is the Schmitt's killi dangerous to humans?

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

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Schmitts killivis sourced
English name
Schmitt's killi sourced
Scientific name
Scriptaphyosemion schmitti
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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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