Micropanchax bracheti (Berkenkamp 1983)

Meaning of Name

After Heinz Brachet.

First Description

Berkenkamp H.O. 1983.
Der Brachet-Leuchtaugenfisch, Aplocheilichthys bracheti sp.nov.,eine Neuheit aus Nord-Togo (Pisces, Aplocheilichthyidae).
Ichthyologische Mitteilung Nr.25. DATZ 36 (8): pages 293-297.

Size

3·5 cm.

Meristics

D = 7, A = 13, D/A = 8, ll = 27-28.

Karyotype

 

Sub-Genus

 

Group

loati. Consisting of - antinorii, ehrichi, fulleborni, loati, pfaffi, rudolfianus.

Synonyms
  • Aplocheilichthys bracheti Berkenkamp 1983

Populations

  • Kanté
  • Kara (Lama - Kara)
 
Type Locality

Collected by Heinz Brachet 8 km southeast of Lama-Kara. 9°30'N, 1°15'W, northern Togo.

Distribution

Fairly restricted to the area of the type locality.

Habitat

Clear streams with slow flow rate in the savannah region of Togo. Sympatric sp. Ep.bifasciatus. Water temperature from 24 - 34°C, pH alkaline to neutral.

Distinguishing Characteristics Both sexes have a yellowish to silver basic colour & show narrow dark edges to the scales & lower lip. The female is paler in colour & has rounded unpaired fins marked with scarsely visible spots. The male in good condition has a metallic blue body & behind the start of the ventral fins a distinct black, mis-shapen keel shaped spot. The dorsal & anal are pale yellow with a dark outer edge, the fins are not rounded. The caudal has 2-3 curved rows of spots.
Colour/Pattern Variability  
History

Discovered by W.Verhayen, J.Huiselmans & F.Puylaert July 30th 1969 at Namundjoga 23 km east of Dapaong, Togo..

Between 1978 & 1980 Heinz Brachet of Wiesbaden, West Germany made 3 collecting trips to Togo & collected many sp. including an unknown lampeye.

Breeding Notes

This sp. requires a large, well planted tank as it is a strong swimmer. Water temperature 22-25°C. Small regular feeds are preferable rather than one large feed daily. They will lay eggs on fine leaved plants, surface vegetation & mops. Fry hatch in 18 days. Newly hatched fry hide in floating plants for the first 3 weeks before schoaling.

Diameter of Egg 1·5mm
Remarks