Aphyosemion maculatum Radda & Purzl 1977

Meaning of Name

After the spotted, mottled patterning on the body.

First Description

Radda A.C. & Pürzl E. 1977.

Cyprinodontiden Studien in Gabun II. Nordgabon.

Aquaria 24: p 27-29, figure 7.

Size

4.5 cm

Meristics
  • D = 12-13, A = 16-17, ll = 30-32 (Radda & Pürzl 1977)
  • D = 12-14, A = 16-17, ll = 30-32(+2) (Radda & Pürzl 1987)
Karyotype

n = 17, A = 22 (Scheel 1990)

Sub-Genus

Mesoaphyosemion

Group

cameronense

Synonyms

None

Populations
  • Bisurn - GEMLBJ 03 / 34
  • Ebé
  • Koumameyong
  • Lolo 1
  • Matora
  • Messé
  • Makokou (west) (northern Gabon)
  • LEC 93 / 4

LEC 93 / 4 male
Photo courtesy of Vasco Gomes

LEC 93 / 4 female
Photo courtesy of Vasco Gomes

Photo courtesy of Maurice Chauche & the KCF website.

 

A.maculatum. Wild male from type locality 33 km east of Koumameyong.
Photo courtesy of Ed Pürzl

A.maculatum. Wild male from type locality 33 km east of Koumameyong.
Photo courtesy of Ed Pürzl

LEC 93 / 4 taken at the 2003 BKA convention. I just love those plastic tanks !

 

LEC 93 / 4 taken at the 2003 BKA convention.
Photo courtesy of Dick Cox.

 

 

LEC 93 / 4 http://home.sprintmail.com/~garybartell/pg8.html Gary Bartell's site

Type Locality

33 km east of Koumameyong & 20 km west of Ovan in northern Gabon.

Distribution

Northern Gabon, in the Okano River drainage system between Koumameyong & Lalara. This area is on the inland plateau.

Habitat

Small rainforest streams & brooks.

Distinguishing Characteristics  
Colour/Pattern Variability  
History

 

Breeding Notes

Regarded as a difficult species to breed. I have bred them in 100% rainwater. Eggs, although not numerous were found regularly. The parents are regarded as non aggressive to fry. I did raise one fish up to about 1.5 cm. There might have been more but I collected the eggs from the mops. This one was probably laid in the plant cover.

Other reports suggest a water incubation time of 15-20 days with slow growth noted. Sexual maturity takes about 8 months.

Jan Pap reported that females outgrew males & would kill them.

Diameter of Egg  
Remarks

It has been noted that young fish are sensitive to sudden water changes. Also, they are sensitive to a build up of waste matter in the water. This species seems to require regular very small water changes. I have kept 2 pairs in seperate tanks for 6 months without changing the water & they were full of life with the odd youngster in there as well. The tanks were heavily planted with Ceratopteris hence the removal of nitrate from the water.