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celia's aphysemion

Scientific name Aphyosemion celiae
Descriptor Scheel
Year of description 1971
IUCN category (World) LC
Family Nothobranchiidae
Genus Aphyosemion
Aphyosemion celiae Aphyosemion celiae
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Introduction

Celia's Aphysemion, sometimes referred to as Aphyosemion de Celia, is a small tropical fish endemic to the Mungo and Méman basins in Cameroon.

Who is it?

Morphology

  • Type
    killifish
  • Average size
    4 cm
  • Maximum size
    5 cm
  • Longevity
    3 year
  • Type
    killifish
  • Average size
    4 cm
  • Maximum size
    5 cm
  • Longevity
    3 year

How to recognize the celia's aphysemion ?

Several authors recognize two subspecies, Celia's Aphyosemion Scheel, 1971 and Aphysemion celiae winifredae Radda & Scheel, 1975.

These two subspecies, which closely resemble each other, are allopatric. The first C. celiae is restricted to the middle basin of the Mungo in western Cameroon, while the second C. winifredae is only known from its type locality, a small stream tributary of the upper Méman in Cameroon.

Celia's Aphysemion is robust and has rounded unpaired fins. The dorsal fin has 11-12 rays; the anal fin 15 rays. The position dorsal fin / anal fin = 1/7. There are 29-30 scales along the lateral line.

Coloration

It may slightly vary between the two subspecies, but overall, it can be summarized as follows:

Male: the body is deep red-brown. The anterior flanks are blue-green and somewhat iridescent. There are a number of red spots on the flanks, the number and size of which vary between populations. The dorsal and anal fins are red-brown at the base followed by a dark red band and then a wide yellow-white to orange-yellow margin. The caudal fin is red-brown at the base, followed by a dark red band in the shape of a half-circle or ellipse, then a wide yellow-white to orange-yellow margin extending all around the fin.

Female: the body is gray-brown. When startled or exposed to bright light, an irregular dark longitudinal band may appear. In healthy specimens kept in adequate conditions, this band is generally not visible. A few dark brown to red-brown spots exist especially on the front part. All fins are colorless.

Sexual dimorphism

The male Celia's Aphyosemion is more colorful and larger than the female.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • diet
    carnivorous
  • Sociability
    living as a couple or alone
  • territorial
    Yes
  • Way of living
    diurnal

Celia's Aphyosemion is a living in small scattered groups species that naturally resides close to the surface and in vegetation. It is a species with a rather calm temperament.

Celia's Aphyosemion can become territorial in certain contexts but is generally not very aggressive.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovipare qui dépose ses Œufs dans la végétation

Celia's Aphyosemion lay adhesive eggs, about 1.2 mm in diameter, in submerged vegetation.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : LC

Geographic distribution & Conservation

Celia's Aphyosemion is endemic to Lower Guinea in a few streams and swamps in the Mungo and Méman basins in Cameroon.

The distribution of Celia's Aphyosemion is restricted to the Mungo basin in western Cameroon. The upper basin of this river is threatened by sedimentation and pollution from banana plantations. This could pose a possible threat to all species downstream. Additionally, this subspecies is known from fewer than five locations, making it eligible for endangered species status. Celia's Aphyosemion is still harvested for the aquarium trade, but the quantity of wild specimens collected is unknown.

Regarding the subspecies Celia's Aphyosemion winifredae, there is insufficient data to assess its status.

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    22 - 26 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    5.5 - 7
  • gh (hardness)
    3 - 10
  • Flow
    Slow

Biotope presentation

Celia's Aphyosemion naturally resides in slightly acidic water. The ground is typically composed of humus.

Main recommendations for fishkeeping

Deontology

In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.

Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.

We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.

Our recommendations

  • Min volume
    20 liters
  • Population min
    2
  • Temperature
    22 - 26 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    5.5 - 7

Characteristics

  • Difficulty breeding
    easy
  • Robustness
    tolerant
  • Behaviour
    moderately aggressive
  • Availability
    occasional

General reminders

It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.

In nature, animals are subject to weather conditions and live in waters with variable characteristics. The recommendations offered by our team for aquarium maintenance are a guidance and cannot be assimilated to scientific datas.

General reminder on maintenance datas

Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.

Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.

Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.

Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.

En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.

Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.

Specific needs for the celia's aphysemion

The celia's aphysemion is a species which lives naturally at a temperature between 22 °C and 26 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 29°C for long periods. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month.

Breeding this species is accessible to any hobbyist. It is recommended to follow some basic rules and to be rigorous to achieve a good maintenance.

This species is generally available in specialized shops or from aquarium clubs. Specimens that have been bred for a long time are easier to breed, but special water parameters must be respected.

Jumping fish

Be careful, the celia's aphysemion is an excellent jumper, naturally using this faculty to change its living area or to escape from predators. The aquarium must be perfectly covered to prevent him from making a deadly jump...

Cohabitation & Environment

The celia's aphysemion is a fish which it is advisable to maintain in specific aquarium. A 20 liter tank is sufficient to consider its breeding. Associating it with other species is not fundamentally impossible but a documentation work is necessary for the constitution of the population.

It should be noticed that this species should not be kept with large crustaceans or fish, as it would become a prey of choice. Smaller species should preferably be inserted in the aquarium some time before the larger ones. Moreover, if you want to breed it, it is better to put them in a specific aquarium.

Tips for feeding

The celia's aphysemion is carnivorous.

This species can eat dry food (flakes, pellets), fresh food and frozen food. To avoid deficiencies, it is recommended to vary the types of food.

You should not overfeed your residents to avoid polluting the water. For most species, it is better to feed a few small portions each day rather than one large meal.

Food recommendations from our partner JBL - Products PRONOVO

Reproduction protocol

  • Maintenance difficulty
    moderate
  • egg-laying protection
    No

Reproduction of this species in an aquarium is considered moderate. Ideally, it takes place at a temperature of around 22 ° C for a pH of 6 .

Hybridization risks

In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.

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To read on the web

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Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Benoit Chartrer

Benoit Chartrer

Didier Paugy

Didier Paugy

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

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Scientific partners

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Tags

#Nothobranchiidae

#Aphyosemion

#killifish

#Africa

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