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Banded lampeye (Aplocheilichthys spilauchen) — Poeciliidae

Banded lampeye

Aplocheilichthys spilauchen
Family: Poeciliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Banded lampeye (Aplocheilichthys spilauchen) is a brackish-water fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Aplocheilichthys spilauchen, the banded lampeye, is a small killifish inhabiting brackish coastal water of West Africa. The species has a slender, elongate body with fine cross-bars and the shining upper eye characteristic of lampeyes, and grows to only a few centimetres. It occurs in coastal swamps, river mouths, lagoons, estuaries and mangrove swamps and only rarely enters pure fresh or marine water. It is not a seasonal killifish. The diet consists of small invertebrates and insects at the water surface. In the aquarium the species is difficult to maintain.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded lampeye?

The Banded lampeye has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Banded lampeye live?

The Banded lampeye lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Banded lampeye get?

The Banded lampeye grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Banded lampeye dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded lampeye is harmless to humans.

Is the Banded lampeye edible?

The Banded lampeye is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bandlampoog sourced
English name
Banded lampeye verified
Scientific name
Aplocheilichthys spilauchen
Family
Poeciliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

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

More from the family Poeciliidae

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