Monrovia pike
| Monrovia pike | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Epiplatys dageti monroviae | ||||||||||||
| Arnoult & Daget , 1965 |
The Monrovia panchax ( Epiplatys dageti monroviae ) is a West African representative of the killifish and belongs together with the cross belt panchax ( Epiplatys dageti dageti ) the nature Epiplatys dageti . It is kept as an aquarium fish , although it is more well-known and more frequently represented in aquaristics than the banded pike due to its more pronounced color .
Occurrence
The species occurs in the West African Liberia and there especially in the area around the city of Monrovia . Mainly swamp-like biotopes with sandy or muddy ground and strong vegetation are settled.
Appearance
The fish have the Epiplatys -typical Hecht shape and resemble the cross belt panchax strong. The males reach a total length of up to six centimeters in captivity, females stay a little smaller. The basic color is a light reddish brown, the males are more contrasting and may also have yellow parts in the area of the fins . The bright red throat, the red color in the fins and five instead of dark cross bars are important distinguishing features from the cross banded pike. The anal fin of the males is pointed towards the rear and round in the females. The caudal fin is spatulate .
Way of life
Like all members of the Epiplatys genus, the Monrovia pike is a hunter living near the surface that feeds primarily on insects, smaller invertebrates and fish larvae. The fish standing in the cover of aquatic plants capture their food by suddenly advancing and occasionally jumping. In captivity, the animals are often noticed as spawn robbers .
Reproduction
The fish spawn in pairs. In the course of several days, up to 200 eggs are attached individually to the root fibers or leaves of aquatic plants . Brood care does not take place, the fry hatch after eight to ten days.
literature
- Rüdiger Riehl , Hans A. Baensch : Aquarien Atlas, Volume 1 , 15th edition, Mergus Verlag, Melle 2007, ISBN 978-3-88244-227-4
- Lothar Seegers: Killifische - egg-laying tooth carps in the aquarium , Ulmer Verlag, Stuttgart 1980, ISBN 978-3-80017-055-5
Web links
- Monrovia-Hechtling on Fishbase.org (English)