Six-banded pike
| Six-banded pike | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Epiplatys sexfasciatus sexfasciatus | ||||||||||||
| Gill , 1862 |
The six-banded pike ( Epiplatys sexfasciatus sexfasciatus ) is a West African representative of the killifish and, together with the Togo six-banded pike ( Epiplatys sexfasciatus togolensis ), belongs to the species Epiplatys sexfasciatus . It is kept as an aquarium fish , but is less common due to its inconspicuous color. It was first introduced to Germany in 1905.
Occurrence
The species occurs in West Africa in the area between Ghana and Gabon . Typical habitats are primarily smaller, shallow watercourses and lakes with strong vegetation, as well as sunlit herbaceous banks of larger bodies of water.
Appearance
The fish have the pike-like shape typical of all Epiplatys species with an overhead mouth. The males reach a total length of up to ten centimeters in captivity, females stay a little smaller. The basic color is light brown, the flanks of the male animals have a metallic sheen. Six dark cross bars (name!) Are typical of the species, but the color of the body can vary depending on the habitat. The pelvic and anal fins of the male animals are pointed, while the female animals are rounded. The caudal fin is elongated-oval.
Way of life
Like all members of the Epiplatys genus, the six-banded pike is a stalker that lives close to the surface and 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.
Reproduction
The animals become sexually mature at eight to nine months. Eggs are laid in pairs, with up to 150 eggs being attached individually to aquatic plants or other fibrous substrate over a period of days. There is no brood care, the fry hatch after ten to twelve days.
literature
- Rüdiger Riehl , Hans A. Baensch : Aquariums Atlas. 15th edition. Volume 1, 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
- Sechsbandhechtling on Fishbase.org (English)