Aphyosemion caudofasciatum Huber & Radda 1979

A.caudofasciatum RPC 24 circulating in the US around 1978/'80.
Photo courtesy of Lennie MacKowiak

Meaning of Name

Refers to the vertical band in the caudal fin.

First Description

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

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

Aquaria 16: 175-185.

Size

5 cm.

Meristics

 

Karyotype

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

Sub-Genus

Mesoaphyosemion

Group

A.ogoense

Synonyms
  • Aphyosemion aff. ogoense (non Pellegrin 1930) Buytaert 1979
  • Aphyosemion ogoense caudofasciatum Radda 1980
Populations
  • Ogowe (Central Congo)
  • Zanaga
  • RPC 24
  • RPC 27
  • RPC 28
  • RPC 29
  • RPC 202 (Zanaga)
  • RPC 205b (10km north of the Liane Bridge)

RPC 28. Photo Courtesy of Ed Pürzl

RPC 28. Photo courtesy of Maurice Chauche & the KCF website.

RPC 28. Photo courtesy of Pat Rimmer

RPC 91 / 11
Photo courtesy of Pat Rimmer

Type Locality

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

Distribution

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

Habitat

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).

Distinguishing Characteristics

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.

Colour/Pattern Variability Fairly low although patterning in the caudal fin is variable.
History

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.

Breeding Notes

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.

Diameter of Egg  
Remarks

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