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Pronothobranchius kiyawensis — Nothobranchiidae

Pronothobranchius kiyawensis

Pronothobranchius kiyawensis
EN · Endangered

The Pronothobranchius kiyawensis is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Lake Chad basin in West and Central Africa, in temporary pools and swamps.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The West African seasonal killi is a small, short-lived killifish of the family Nothobranchiidae from the savannas of the Lake Chad basin in West and Central Africa. The species reaches only about 4 cm; the males are brightly coloured with blue and red tones. It lives in temporary pools and swamps that dry out completely in the dry season. It is a true annual fish: the bottom-laid eggs survive the dry period in the mud and hatch after about a month and a half once the rains return. Owing to this dependence on vulnerable temporary waters the species is assessed by the IUCN as endangered (EN).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pronothobranchius kiyawensis?

The Pronothobranchius kiyawensis has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Annual seasonal fish whose eggs survive the dry season in the mud; IUCN status endangered.

Where does the Pronothobranchius kiyawensis live?

The Pronothobranchius kiyawensis lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Lake Chad basin in West and Central Africa, in temporary pools and swamps.

How big does the Pronothobranchius kiyawensis get?

The Pronothobranchius kiyawensis grows to a maximum of about 4 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Pronothobranchius kiyawensis dangerous to humans?

No, the Pronothobranchius kiyawensis is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Pronothobranchius kiyawensis edible?

The Pronothobranchius kiyawensis is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Pronothobranchius kiyawensis sourced
Scientific name
Pronothobranchius kiyawensis
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.1 verified
Average length (cm)
3.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue 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
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Lake Chad basin in West and Central Africa, in temporary pools and swamps. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and insect larvae sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Annual cycle: adult in the rainy season, the eggs survive the dry period in the bottom. inferred
Special features
Annual seasonal fish whose eggs survive the dry season in the mud; IUCN status endangered. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Nothobranchiidae

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