Home · Nothobranchiidae · Thys's killi
Thys's killi (Aphyosemion thysi) — Nothobranchiidae

Thys's killi

Aphyosemion thysi
VU · Vulnerable

The Thys's killi (Aphyosemion thysi) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Thys's killi is a small, colourful killifish from southwestern Congo, known from the area between Mossendjo and Komono in the Louesse drainage. It grows to about 4.5 cm and lives in brooks and small streams in mountainous rainforest, in soft, slightly acidic and cool water. It is an egg-laying, non-seasonal killifish that is regarded as difficult to keep. The fish feeds on small invertebrates. Because of its very limited range the species is listed as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Thys's killi?

The Thys's killi has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Thys's killi live?

The Thys's killi lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Thys's killi get?

The Thys's killi grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Thys's killi dangerous to humans?

No, the Thys's killi is harmless to humans.

Is the Thys's killi edible?

The Thys's killi is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Thys' killivis verified
English name
Thys's killi verified
Scientific name
Aphyosemion thysi
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Aphyosemion

More from the family Nothobranchiidae

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