Refers to the vertical band in the caudal fin.

Huber J.H. & Radda A.C. 1979.

Die Rivulinae des sudlichen Kongo (Brazzaville) 2, Der Aphyosemion lujae Komplex.

Aquaria 16: 175-185.

5 cm.

n = 19, A = 38 (Scheel 1981, 1990).

Mesoaphyosemion

A.ogoense

• Aphyosemion aff. ogoense (non Pellegrin 1930) Buytaert 1979
• Aphyosemion ogoense caudofasciatum Radda 1980

• Ogowe (Central Congo)
• Zanaga
• RPC 24
• RPC 27
• RPC 28
• RPC 29
• RPC 202 (Zanaga)
• RPC 205b (10km north of the Liane Bridge)

Ekouma creek, close to the village of Ogowe, north of Yanaga, southern Congo.

The Zanaga area, Province Le'Koumou, southern Congo.

Mountainous rainforest streams of the upper Ogowe River drainage system in the Zanaga area, Province Le'Koumou, southern Congo.

RPC 27 - Measurements taken at 1630 hrs. Air temperature 19'C, water temperature 18'C, pH 6.5. Sympatric sp. Hypsopanchax zebra & 3 non identified Barbus sp.

RPC 28 - Measurements taken at 1400 hrs. Air temperature 19'C, water temperature 18'C, pH 6, Conductivity 40v S20. Sympatric sp. Hepsetus odoe (predator), Phenacogrammus aurantiacus, Barbus aff.jae, + 3 non identified Barbus sp.

RPC 29 - Sympatric sp. as for RPC 28. No measurements were undertaken in the field.

RPC 202 - Sympatric sp. A.schluppi, A.wachtersi, Hypsopanchax zebra, 2 non identified Barbus sp., Ctenopoma nanum, Nannocharax fasciatum, Characoid sp.

RPC 205 - Sympatric sp. Hypsopanchax zebra, Mastacembelus sp. (eel).

Easily seperated from other Aphyosemion sp. by the distinctive caudal fin containing a single thick vertical band of dark red surrounded by yellow. The caudal fin is also tri-lobate.

First discovered by Buytaert & Wachters on their 1978 collecting trip at collection points RPC 27. The RPC 28 population was first introduced in the UK in the later part of 1979.

Buytaert returned to the Congo in 1979 & collected them at points RPC 202 & RPC 205b.

Not one of the easier Aphyosemion species to breed. They were regarded as the most difficult sp. to breed from the Buytaert/Wachters collection of 1978.

Eggs are laid in top & bottom mops & production increases in cooler water. Eggs are very sensitive & are best placed on wet peat. Incubation reportedly takes 21-24 days where the eggs are hatched using cool water. Eggs have also been stored on damp peat & wet after 24 days using cool water. Water incubation takes 15-20 days. Fry sex out in 6-7 months. First spawnings of this sp. produced more males than females. Only the brightest coloured youngsters should be kept for future breeding as colours will fade with this sp.

Colour patterns may vary in a batch of young fish from the same brood.

Fred Wright in BKA newsletter No.179, July 1980 commented on how all his attempts at egg collection failed to result in a hatching. Eggs would appear to be sensitive & best not touched with fingers.

Ian Sainthouse in BKA newsletter No.194, October 1981 found that the best temperature to breed this sp. at was 68°F.

A dark, quiet tank brings out the best colouration with this sp.