Aphyosemion cryptum Zee, Walsh, Mikembi, Jonker, Alexandre & Sonnenberg, 2018

A.cryptum M21
Photo courtesy of Jouke van der Zee

Meaning of Name

 
First Description

Zee, J.R. van der, G. Walsh, V.N.B. Mikembi, M.N. Jonker, M.P. Alexandre, R. Sonnenberg. 2018.

Three new endemic Aphyosemion species (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the Massif du Chaillu in the upper Louessé River system, Republic of the Congo.

Zootaxa, 4369 (1): 80, figs. 12-13.
Online pdf
Size

5 cm, males.
Meristics

D=10·2, A=14·8, D/A=7·3, ll=31·2.
Karyotype

Sub-Genus

Mesoaphyosemion
Group

Synonyms None

Populations

  • Lisoukou
  • Mandoro River
  • Mbinda - (JH 159) Huber 1978
  • M21 (Upper Louesse River)
Type Locality

Collected 1·5 km on the road south of Lisoukou on road R1 to Mossendjo. Tributary of the River Mandoro which drains into the River Louessé.
Same location for the type locality for A.cyanoflavum.
Distribution

 
Habitat

Small streams with good flow over sand & clay. Habitat is reported to have a higher pH than habitats of A.coeleste, A.cyanoflavum or A.mandoraense.

Sympatric species: A.coeleste, A.mandoroense.
Distinguishing Characteristics Lacks a green or yellow patch behind gills in males.
Colour/Pattern Variability

On first sight this species looks like A.coeleste. The difference lies on the front area of the body by the gills. A.cryptum is a fairly uniform blue colour whereas A.coeleste has a series of red horizontal spots forming lines. In some populations these lines are broken.



Photo from original description showing A.cryptum (top 5 fish) & A.coeleste (bottom fish) for comparison.
Photo courtesy of Jouke van der Zee.
History

First collected probably in a collection by Jean Huber, August 1982. Originally thought to be a variant of A.coeleste. This location JH 159, pumping station near Mbinda.

Also collected by G. Walsh, M. Alexandre and V. Boukaka Mikembi, 2013.
Breeding Notes

Reported to require clean rainwater, subdued lighting & a temperature below 26°C. Not an easy sp. to breed.
Diameter of Egg
Remarks