Obscure (dark).

Ahl E. 1924.

Zur Systematik der altweltlichen Zahnkarpfen der Unterfamilie Fundulinae.

Zoologischer Anzeiger 60 (1-2): 55.

5 cm.

D = 12, A = 16, D/A = +7, ll = 29 (Ahl),31-34 (Scheel).

17 (22) (Scheel).

Mesoaphyosemion

A.cameronense

• Aphyosemion bellicauda (Ahl 1924)
• Aphyosemion carnapi (Ahl 1924)
• Aphyosemion preussi (Ahl 1924)
• Panchax obscurus Ahl 1924a
• Aphyosemion normani (Ahl 1928)
• Aphyosemion cameronense obscurum (Ahl 1924)
• Aphyosemion obscurum Foersch 1968
• Aphyosemion striatum (non Boulenger 1911); Radda 1970
• Aphyosemion cameronense obscurum Radda 1974

• Kala
• Matomb
• Ngoulmekong (Eastern Cameroon)
• Nguélémendouka
• Ototomo
• EMS 90/13 Matomb
• KEK 98 / 23

Yaoundé.

West of Yaounde, Cameroon.

Shallow swamp areas in streams in rainforest of the Akono & Mefou drainages. They are found in dark areas.

Scheel reported the location 18 miles east of Yaounde as being a 'dirty, muddy, almost stagnant brook, with many red deposits, probably iron oxides'.

Scheel in ROTOW 1 considered that this species may have been imported into Germany in 1913.

Ahl described this species in 1924 from a single specimen collected at Yaounde, eastern Cameroon. Holly, in 1930, examined the holotype & changed some of Ahl's data.

Again, Scheel considered it possible this species may have been introduced into the USA in 1933 according to the fish photographed in Innes' book of 1935.

Scheel collected them in 1966 from many localities in eastern Cameroon. He brought back live fish from a point 18 miles east of Yaounde towards Edea & established an aquarium population.

History of the synonym Panchax bellicauda Ahl 1924

Ahl described this sp. from 9 specimens collected from the Upper Lobo River area near Sangmelima, eastern Cameroon. In 1930 Holly considered this sp. to represent a synonym of cameronense. Scheel collected in this area in 1966 & found A.exiguum, E.sangmelinensis & bellicauda, which he considered resembled cameronense in most traits. He later placed this bellicauda material in obscurum.

History of the synonym Panchax preussi Ahl 1924

Ahl described the species from a single specimen collected at Yaunde, Cameroon. He considered the species to be closest to A.cameronense which was fairly accurate.
Holly, in 1930, redescribed the species & changed some of Ahl's data. He placed P.preussi as a synonym for A.cameronense.

History of the synonym Panchax carnapi Ahl 1924

Ahl based his description of carnapi on a single specimen collected at Yaunde, East Cameroon. In 1929 Pellegrin reported them from Banyo, Bamkin, Foumban & Yoko in East Cameroon. These localities are in savannah areas & Scheel in ROTOW 1 p. 148 considered they might be A.bualanum.
In 1930 Holly considered carnapi to be a synonym for A.cameronense.

History of the synonym Panchax normani Ahl 1928

Ahl described this species in 1928 from a single specimen collected at Yaounde, eastern Cameroon by Zenker.

Regarded as a difficult fish to breed, probably the hardest in the A.cameronense group. Natural breeding methods using a well planted tank seem to prove beneficial.

Scheel considered them to be susceptible to attack from Mycobacteria & suggested maintaining them in 'clean, hard & alkaline water' & using 'slightly acid water' for breeding.

Young fish are sensitive to build ups of waste products in the water. Sudden changes of water are also harmful. Small, regular water changes are considered the best way to maintain them.