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Lake killifish (Fundulopanchax lacustris) — Nothobranchiidae

Lake killifish

Fundulopanchax lacustris

The Lake killifish (Fundulopanchax lacustris) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Lake killifish is a killifish (Nothobranchiidae) from small forest streams, pools and swamps of Nigeria in West Africa. The species grows to about 6 cm; males are brightly coloured with red, blue and yellow tints and coloured fin margins. Many relatives are annual: their eggs survive a dry period in the soil. As a fish of shallow, often oxygen-poor water it snaps at insect larvae, small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lake killifish?

The Lake killifish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Lake killifish live?

The Lake killifish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Lake killifish get?

The Lake killifish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Lake killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Lake killifish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Meer-prachtkilli sourced
English name
Lake killifish sourced
Scientific name
Fundulopanchax lacustris
Family
Nothobranchiidae
Other names
Ejagham killi sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Fundulopanchax

More from the family Nothobranchiidae

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