Episemion callipteron Radda & Pürzl 1987

Episemion callipteron. Wild male collected 6 km southeast of Bibasse
on the N2 road to Mitzic (type locality).
Photo courtesy of Ed Pürzl.

Meaning of Name

Refers to 'beautiful fins'

First Description

Radda A.C. & Pürzl E. 1987.

Episemion callipteron, ein neuer Killifisch aus Nordgabun.

DKG Journal 19 (2): p 17-22, figures.

Size

39 mm

Meristics

D = 10-12, A = 15-16, ll = 28-29 (+2)(Radda & Pürzl 1987).

Karyotype

 

Sub-Genus

 

Group

 

Synonyms
  • Epiplatys (Episemion) callipteron Radda & Purzl 1987 (in part)
  • Episemion callipteron Radda & Purzl 1987 (in part)
  • Aplocheilus callipteron Scheel 1990
Populations
  • Bibasse (northern Gabon)
  • Edoum (northern Gabon) Probably E.krystallinoron
  • Oyem
  • Mvom, Rio Poblado Equatorial Guinea
  • Ngon, Rio Ecuamai Equatorial Guinea
  • On the road Nsoc–Mongomo, tributary of Nta Equatorial Guinea
  • On the road Nsoc–Mongomo, up to Mitomo
    Equatorial Guinea
  • GEMLB 15 Equatorial Guinea
  • GEMLBJ 03/15 Equatorial Guinea
  • 23 km SSW Oyem (GWW 86/20) Gabon, Type locality
  • Oveng, 38 km NW Zomoko (LEC 93/13)
    Gabon
  • PEG 98/24 Gabon
  • Sam Gabon

Wild male from the type locality.
Photo courtesy of Ed Pürzl.

Wild male from the type locality.
Photo courtesy of Ed Pürzl.

Edoum - Known to have been circulating in mainland Europe in 2002 (AKFB Convention).

Type Locality

The original description states ' A brook 6 km from Bibasse on the national road N2 from Oyem to Mitzic. In the drainage system of the Wolue / Rio Benito River, northern Gabon'.

Distribution

The Rio Benito & Ogowe River drainage systems of northern Gabon.

Habitat

Rainforest brooks & small rivers. Wildekamp (in BKA K/N 272) reports them from 'a rainforest brook about 6 km southeast of Bibasse & at 23 km south southwest of Oyem in northern Gabon'.

Distinguishing Characteristics Looks like a cross between Aphyosemion & Epiplatys (hence the name Epi - semion). The caudal is noticably flared.
Colour/Pattern Variability  
History

First collected on the 3rd July 1983 by Hervé Gonin in the stream Ottomitan near Médouneu airport, north Gabon.

Type material collected by Peter Wagner & Ronald Windel early in on 12th December 1986 in Northern Gabon. GWW 86 / 12.
Radda & Pürzl studied these fish & placed them in Epiplatys.
The original description also contained a subgeneric name of Episemion. This was erected to full generic status with this sp. being the then sole member.

Breeding Notes

Reportedly difficult to breed & not prolific. Peat fibre has been used to good effect as a spawning medium. Parents do not eat eggs or fry so it's safe to let nature take its course & net out young fish as they start to grow on. Fry are sensitive to water pollution & sudden water changes. Soft, slightly acid water is recommended.

Diameter of Egg  
Remarks