Ansorges Hechtling
| Ansorges Hechtling | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systematics | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Epiplatys ansorgii | ||||||||||||
| Boulenger , 1912 |
Ansorges pike ( Epiplatys ansorgii ) is a West African representative of the killifish . The species is known as an aquarium fish but is rarely kept.
Occurrence
The species occurs in West Africa in the area of Gabon and Congo and lives there mainly in smaller rivers in the coastal rainforest areas.
Appearance
The body shape is pike-like with an upper mouth, in captivity the males reach a total length of up to eight centimeters, while the females remain slightly smaller. The basic color is light silver, the body is covered with several rows of bright red dots arranged like stripes, the fins are bright orange. The dorsal fin is set back and only begins after the middle of the anal fin .
The species forms different local forms depending on the habitat, which can differ in color (especially in the area of the fins).
Way of life
Ansorges Hechtling is a surface- living ambulance hunter . From the cover under floating plants, mainly insects and invertebrates , but also small juvenile fish, are preyed on by quickly advancing. In captivity, the animals are often noticed as spawn robbers.
Reproduction
The fish spawn in pairs. The eggs are individually attached to the root fibers or leaves of aquatic plants over the course of several days. Brood care does not take place.
literature
- Rüdiger Riehl , Hans A. Baensch : Aquariums Atlas, Volume 1. 15th edition. Mergus Verlag, Melle 2007, ISBN 978-3-88244-227-4 .
- Lothar Seegers: Killifische - egg-laying toothcarps in the aquarium. Ulmer Verlag, Stuttgart 1980, ISBN 978-3-80017-055-5 .
Web links
- Ansorges Hechtling on Fishbase.org (English)
- Epiplatys ansorgii inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Threatened Species . Posted by: Moelants, T., 2009. Retrieved January 11, 2014.