Meaning of Name |
The local Fang people of northern Gabon, in the Crystal Mountains, call Aphyosemion type fish M'bon (Mimbon). In other areas of Gabon this name becomes Mimbungu. |
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First Description |
Huber J.H. 1977 Une chaine de deux Aphyosemion sympatriques dans les monts de Crystal, Gabon, avec description d'une espece nouvelle; A.mimbon n.sp. Revue Francaise d'Aquariologue 4 (1): 8-9. |
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Size |
4.5 cm |
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Meristics |
D = 13-14, A = 16-17, D/A = 1/7-8, ll = 30-32(+
1-3)(Huber 1977). |
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Karyotype |
n = 15, A = 25 (Scheel 1990). |
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Sub-Genus |
Mesoaphyosemion |
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Group |
cameronense |
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Synonyms |
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Populations
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Edoum (see also GEB 94/25 & 26) - Imported to Germany by Roland Numrich on more than one occasion including 1988 where he collected them here. The biotope was a small stream passing through a wood near Edoum where it passes under a road. The stream bed was very muddy, thought to be due to de-forestation upstream where trees were cleared & burnt. In the summer of 1988 the stream width was 2 metres near the road. A.mimbon was the most common killie here but also found were Episemion sp.aff.callipteron & a particularly intensely coloured A.herzogi. GBG 92/35 & 36 - Collected by Grell in July 1992 west of Médouneu. At location 36 an Episemion sp. was also found. GEB 94/25 - Collected in
the Oyab stream, 1km north of Edoum. Blum & Eberl collected here
19th February 1994 at about 7am. A.mimbon,
A.spec.aff.herzogi
(few), Episemion sp (1).
GEB 94/26 - Near Edoum. In a stream 2km along a trail northwest of the village. A.mimbon, A.spec.aff.herzogi. Both brought back to Germany alive. GEB 94/27 - On the way back to Libreville. Passing through Akoga they fished 2kms southwest near Ntom in the Mboun stream. A.mimbon, A.spec.aff.herzogi found but not brought back. GWW 86/30 - Collected 3kms from Médouneu on 10th January 1986.The only killifish present. Brought back to Germany & may still be in the hobby. JH 76/52 - The JH 76 codes are also called G 76. Collected 28th August 1976 near the Catholic Mission at Médouneu. A small marshy stream with very clear water. A.mimbon, A.sp.aff.herzogi, Ctenopoma sp, Clarias sp., Barbus sp. JH 76/53 - 16kms west of Médouneu on the road to Libreville. Near the village of Nkinnen (Nkinén). A 'reasonably large stream with sluggish almost standing water 100 metres from the village'. The stream was called the Mja (Mia). Water temperature 23°C, muddy base & a strong smell of decay. Manioc was stored in the stream here. A.mimbon, Ctenopoma sp.,characin. JH 76/54 - Near Akoga. LEC 93/18 - Collected by Legros, Eberl & Cerfontaine on 12th January 1993 at 5pm. This is the same locality as Huber's JH 76/53. Water temperature 23·2°C, pH 5·7, nitrite 0·5. Brought back to Europe & distributed. LEC 93/19 - The Fini stream near Avang to the west of the village, 35kms west of the outskirts of Médouneu. Local villagers call this place PK 36, Médouneu. Collected 13th January 1993 at 7 am. Water temperature 20·9°C, electrical conductivity 18µS, pH 6·3, total hardness 0 dgh. A.mimbon, A.spec,aff.herzogi, Barbus jae, Silurus sp., characin.
Ottomitan - This is the name of a stream near Médouneu airport. Hervé Gonin collected A.mimbon & an Episemion sp. He collected around Médouneu 3rd to 7th March 1983. PEG 94/43 - Collected in the Oyab stream near Edoum. Collected 20th August 1994. Episemion callipteron were collected & brought back to Europe. PEG 94/44 - Collected in the Ndoube stream near Nzog Bour, 13kms southwest of Edoum & 31 kms from Médouneu. A.mimbon collected & brought back alive to Europe. PEG 94/45 - Collected in the Fsinen stream near Avang, 18kms southwest of Edoum. Collected on 20th August. A.mimbon collected & brought back alive to Europe. |
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Type Locality |
Akoga, which is 55 km from Médouneu, northern Gabon. Also known as location G 76/54 |
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Distribution |
The upper Abanga, upper Nkam, upper Mbei &
upper Komo River drainages of northwestern Gabon probably extending
to southeastern Equatorial Guinea. |
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Habitat |
Small rainforest streams in hilly areas. The type locality is described as a 'small, fairly fast flowing stream'. Dense vegetation on banks with a sandy base covered in a heavy concentration of leaves. Water was slightly brown. At 9am water temperature was 20·8°C, pH 6·4, 0·2 dGH. Also found a barb species & frogs. Huber reports 2 forms collected. A.mimbon which he calls 'blue form' & a 'yellow' form which looked similar to A.herzogi but may not have been this species. |
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Distinguishing Characteristics |
Possibly only confused with A.maculatum
in the body at least. Both have large red areas. Fins however are totally
different with A.mimbon being more
solid yellow in the outer margins. |
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Colour/Pattern Variability | Can vary from heavy colour/patterning to almost none. | |||||||||||||||
History |
Described by Huber in 1977 after he & Ed Pürzl collected them near Akoga in August 1977. Original specimens were bred by Maurice Chauche but soon died out. This was location G 76/54. It was not collected again until 11th January 1986 by Peter Wagner & Roland Wendel & brought back alive to Germany (GWW 86/30). This location is 3kms west of Médouneu in the Monts de Cristal, north Gabon. They were able to breed & distribute them. In July 1992 Grell collected at 2 points west of Médouneu. These were brought back to Germany alive & distributed. In January 1993 Legros, Eberl & Cerfontaine (LEC 93) brought live fish back from 2 collection points near Médouneu on their way to Sam. In February 1994 (GEB 94) Thomas Blum & Wolfgang Eberl collected in the Monts de Cristal & brought back live fish to Germany. In August 1994 Passaro & Eberl (PEG 94) brought back more live fish to Germany. |
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Breeding Notes |
Reportedly difficult. Eggs are laid in peat fibre/plants/mops & can be safely left with the parents where a few will grow on. Growth is slow with sexual maturity taking 8 months. Young fish are sensitive to waste products in the water. Also, they are sensitive to water changes so small regular water changes are required. Karl Heinz Notzon put a breeding report in BKA
Newsletter No.324 (Sept.1992). He received eggs which needed help in
hatching with a little dry food. Fry grew on to 2·5cm in 7 weeks.
At this size males started to show. Only one female was found out of
18 fish. |
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Diameter of Egg | ||||||||||||||||
Remarks |
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