red-spotted killi

Scientific name Aphyosemion cognatum
Descriptor Meinken
Year of description 1951
IUCN category (World) LC
Family Nothobranchiidae
Genus Aphyosemion
Aphyosemion cognatum Aphyosemion cognatum

Introduction

Aphyosemion cognatum is a small fish native to Central Africa. It is commonly known as the "red-spotted killi" or "redspot panchax" by English speakers.

Who is it?

Morphology

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

How to recognize the red-spotted killi ?

In male Aphyosemion cognatum, the dorsal fin and upper lobe of the caudal fin have a narrow white (or pale blue) margin and a red submargin. The anal fin and lower lobe of the caudal fin have a red margin. There are numerous red spots on the flanks, generally arranged in regular series, but not forming bars or longitudinal lines.

Sexual dimorphism

The male Aphyosemion cognatum 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

The Aphyosemion red-spotted killi lives in small scattered groups naturally residing along the banks, in the fallen grasses in the water. It is a rather calm species, not very aggressive, and generally indifferent to its neighbors.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovipare qui dépose ses Œufs dans la végétation

The Aphyosemion cognatum is an oviparous fish that deposits its adhesive eggs, about 1.2 mm in diameter, in submerged vegetation. In an aquarium, the eggs' incubation period lasts approximately 2 weeks.

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

The Aphyosemion cognatum is known from the middle and lower Congo basin.

There are pollution issues in some regions where this species is found. It is also captured for the aquarium trade. However, due to its wide distribution, Aphyosemion cognatum does not appear to be significantly threatened, and is therefore classified as "least concern".

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    22 - 24 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    5.5 - 6.5
  • Flow
    Slow

Biotope presentation

The Aphyosemion cognatum naturally inhabits slightly acidic water. The substrate is typically composed of humus.

Species of the same biotope

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 - 24 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    5.5 - 6.5

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 red-spotted killi

The red-spotted killi is a species which lives naturally at a temperature between 22 °C and 24 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 27°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 red-spotted killi 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 red-spotted killi 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 red-spotted killi 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
    very easy
  • egg-laying protection
    No

Reproduction of this species in an aquarium is considered very easy. Ideally, it takes place at a temperature of around 22 ° C for a pH of 6.5 .

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.

These animals might interest you

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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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