Lacustricola johnstoni (Günther 1894 (1893?))

Photo courtesy of Tony Terceira

Meaning of Name

After Sir Harry H.Johnston collector of type material.
First Description

Haplochilus johnstonii Günther A.1893

Second report on the Reptiles, Batrachians & Fishes, transmitted by Mr. H.H.Johnston C.B from British Central Africa.

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London: p.627-628.

Also described by Boulenger in 1908 in Ann. Natal Mus. i 1908, p.220.

Size
  • 47 mm (Boulenger 1915)
  • 32 mm Total Length (Günther 1893)
  • 50 mm Total Length (Bell-Cross 1976)
  • 88 mm Total Length (Balon 1974)
Meristics
  • D = 7, A = 12-13, ll = 29 (Günther 1893)
  • D = 7-8, A = 13-14, ll = 28-29 (Boulenger 1915)
  • D = 6-8, A = 12-15, ll = 29-32 +2 (Poll 1967)
  • D = 7-8, A = 13-14, ll = 25-29 (Bell-Cross 1976
Karyotype

n = 24, A = 24 (Scheel 1981)
Sub-Genus

 
Group

 
Synonyms
  • Haplochilus johnstoni Günther 1893
  • Haplochilichthys johnstoni Regan 1911
  • Micropanchax johnstoni Myers 1924
  • Aplocheilus johnstoni Fowler 1925
  • Haplochilus carlislei Horst 1934
  • Aplocheilichthys carlislei Myers 1938
  • Aplocheilichthys johnstonii Myers 1938
  • Aplocheilichthys johnstoni Ricardo-Bertram, Borley & Trewavas 1942
  • Aplocheilichthys myaposae (non Boulenger 1908) Crass 1964
  • "Aplocheilichthys" johnstoni Parenti 1981

Populations

  • Bunkeya
  • Ellisras
  • Harare
  • Ipinda
  • Karonga
  • Kesundu
  • Kyela
  • Lebuvu River Kruger National Park, South Africa.
  • Mansa
  • Mungo
  • Nylpanne
  • Pinda S.W.Tanzania (sp.aff.johnstoni)
  • Zambia

Photo courtesy of Gottfried Marschitz.


Photo courtesy of Tony Terceira.
Type Locality

Mangochi (then Fort Johnston, British Central Africa).
Distribution

Widespread in Southern Africa.
Habitat

Small rivers & streams. Also found in the Okovango Swamp. Usually found in large numbers in vegetation around edges of biotopes.
Distinguishing Characteristics  
Colour/Pattern Variability  
History

Boulenger gives the following collectors / locations in his 1915 Catalogue.

  • 1-8. (Types) collected at Fort Johnston by A.Whyte & Sir H.H.Johnston
  • 9. Collected at Indukuduku, Zululand by Dr.E.Warren
Breeding Notes

Bob Gunn in BKA Newsletter No. 311, August 1991 bred them in a 12 x 8 x 8" tank with water at 72 - 74°F, pH 8. The natural method was used with eggs layed in plants & allowed to hatch in the parents tank.
Eggs that were collected were incubated in water for 14-20 days at 72 - 74°F. Egg yield was reportedly quite low with 3 - 4 per day up to a maximum of 8. Newly hatched fry will take newly hatched brine shrimp & microworm.
Sexing out starts at 14 weeks of age where the fish are about 1". Maturity at about 8 months. Regular water changes are required.
Diameter of Egg 2 mm, 1·8 mm (Huber)
Remarks

The female will display a horizontal grey band on the body according to mood.