Home · Nothobranchiidae · Volcano killi
Volcano killi (Aphyosemion volcanum) — Nothobranchiidae

Volcano killi

Aphyosemion volcanum
EN · Endangered

The Volcano killi (Aphyosemion volcanum) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Central Africa; swampy rainforest streams on volcanic soil.
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Volcano killi?

Get the app

Description

The volcano killi is a small egg-laying toothcarp (Nothobranchiidae) from Central Africa. The species is small; males are handsomely coloured with red and blue-green tints and coloured fin margins. It inhabits swampy parts of brooks and small streams in the rainforest, mainly on volcanic soil. At the surface it snaps at small insects, mosquito larvae and small zooplankton. Owing to a limited range the species is considered endangered. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Volcano killi?

The Volcano killi has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern. Beautifully coloured male; small surface killifish of volcanic rainforest streams, threatened by its limited range.

Where does the Volcano killi live?

The Volcano killi lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Central Africa; swampy rainforest streams on volcanic soil.

How big does the Volcano killi get?

The Volcano killi grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Volcano killi dangerous to humans?

No, the Volcano killi is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Volcano killi edible?

The Volcano killi is not usually eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Volcano killi?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Volcano killi is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Volcano killi sourced
Scientific name
Aphyosemion volcanum
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 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
Natural range
Central Africa; swampy rainforest streams on volcanic soil. 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; small surface killifish of volcanic rainforest streams, threatened by its limited range. 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
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 Volcano killi?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Volcano killi is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Volcano killi? Get the app