 |
|
To access information on a specific fish click Genera List Click the genus you are searching for (i.e. Aphyosemion) then click the species name (i.e. A.australe).
References to dates refer to a paper or article from which the relevant information was obtained either by myself or referenced authors. Many are linked to the relevant reference.
The above table is a navigational
anchor bar. This provides quick links to the sub-headings on each page (only).
To return to the top of the page click the first letter of the heading ( Meaning
of Name ). Try it out on this page.
Information is contained in the following
table format. An explanation of the sub-headers follows:-
If I cross referenced every link my server would become overloaded & I would
use up valuable space. The information is hopefully there but please tell me
of missing information so I can update the site.
| Meaning of Name |
This shows how the species/subspecies received it's name. |
| First Description |
The author...... article......... & publication of the first description for the species/subspecies. |
| Size |
The total length of the species/subspecies from snout to caudal extremety. A name (where shown) in brackets denotes the author who put forward the measurement. Size quoted is for the male & represents the maximum reported size. Females are generally slightly smaller. |
| Meristics |
Denotes the fin ray & lateral line scale count. D = dorsal, A = anal, D/A = if you imagine a vertical line from the start of either the dorsal or anal fin (whichever is furthest back towards the tail). As this line intersects the opposite fin a number of rays are left from the line to the start of the fin. If the line starts from the dorsal fin the count is +, if it starts from the anal fin the count is -, if there is no difference, & the line touches the start of both fins the count is 0. |
| Karyotype |
The chromosome number for the species/subspecies. The authors name is in brackets. Differences noted by other authors are also included with this author in brackets. Karyotype often varies at the population level. |
| Sub-Genus |
A genera are broken down to sub genera to group similar species. |
| Group |
As above, but this section refers to a species heading a similar group of sp. |
| Synonyms |
Basically a list of names which the species/subspecies has been formerly known as. This area often causes controversy between authors. I have also included a code if applicable such as A. NSC-5 etc. |
|
Populations
|
A list of known collecting sites where fish were brought back to captivity & in many cases distributed to the hobby. Photographs of many locations are included. Those not credited are by myself whilst others are credited by various contacts who have given permission for their inclusion. I wish to thank these people for helping me out. No photograph contained in this site may be used in any other website/publication without the express permission of the person credited. A hyperlink is sometimes added in this section. This will take you directly to another sites page containing a photograph and/or more information on the population. This is done to save site space & speed up download times. For hyperlinked photos permission should be sought from those individual sites authors. |
| Type Locality |
The collection site where the fish were originally caught & used to describe the species/subspecies. |
| Distribution |
This is the known area of distribution with (in many cases) the river systems (or drainages) they inhabit. |
| Habitat |
Information on water chemistry, temperatures, other species known to live in the same biotope & any other data referenced. |
| Distinguishing Characteristics | Many species/subspecies can be very difficult to seperate from a similarly coloured species/subspecies. This section (although not infallible) tries to sort out the key differences in an aid to seperating them. |
| Colour/Pattern Variability | Different populations may vary to a greater or lesser degree. High indicates that they vary a lot whilst low indicates they vary little in terms of colour & patterning. |
| History |
The known history of collecting dates, who collected
them etc. |
| Breeding Notes |
A guide to breeding with tips etc. |
| Diameter of Egg | Size of the egg. Gives an indication that a very small egg will most likely require infusoria as a first food. |
| Remarks |
Other information or personal notes. |