Striped topminnow (Aplocheilichthys katangae)

Scientific name: Aplocheilichthys katangae Boulenger, 1912

The Striped topminnow (Aplocheilichthys katangae) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 20–28°C (68–82°F).

Striped topminnow care at a glance

Temperature
20–28°C (68–82°F)

Biology

It is found in schools mainly in the shallow and vegetated part of small rivers, brooks and swamps, and in the shallow parts of lakes. Uncommon in floodplains. Feeds on insect larvae, daphnia and other small invertebrates. Serial spawner, lays eggs on vegetation. Useful as a mosquito control agent. Not a seasonal killifish. Is difficult to maintain in aquarium.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Aplocheilichthys katangae
Family
Poeciliidae (Poeciliids)
Order
Cyprinodontiformes (Live bearers, Killifishes and Rivulines)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
4.5
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 6.5 - 7.2 benthopelagic; non-migratory
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: widely distributed in southern Africa. It is found in rivers and lakes of the southern Democratic Republic of Congo, eastern Angola, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Namibia.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries:; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated