Footless killifish

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Footless killifish
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cyprinodontiformes
Family: Aphaniidae
Genus: Aphanius
Species:
A. apodus
Binomial name
Aphanius apodus
(Gervais, 1853)
Synonyms[2]
  • Tellia apoda Gervais, 1853
  • Lebias apodus (Gervais, 1853)
  • Aphanius thermarum (Eichwald, 1851)
  • Poecilia thermarum (Eichwald, 1851)

Aphanius apodus is a species of fish in the family Cyprinodontidae. This species is endemic to springs and streams in the Atlas mountains of Algeria, between Batna and Constantine.[2] A. apodus was described as Lebias apodus in 1853 by Paul Gervais with the type locality given as the Springs of Tell, south of Constantine.[3]

Information

It is endemic to Algeria. It is the only Aphanius species which lacks pectoral fins. This species can grow up to the average length of about 45 millimeters or about two inches. The aphanius apodus has the diet of eating small aquatic crustaceans, worms, insect larvae, zooplankton, algae, and occasionally plant material is eaten. If bred for the aquarium, this species can accept dried foods. Although they will eat dried food, it is better for them to be offered small live or frozen food such as Artemia, Daphnia or bloodworm.[4] There are no recorded threats that could endanger the species into becoming an endangered species. They are known to be found in freshwater.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Crivelli, A.J. (2006). "Aphanius apodus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2006: e.T60776A12395975. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T60776A12395975.en.
  2. ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Apahnius apodus" in FishBase. August 2019 version.
  3. ^ Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Lebias apodus". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  4. ^ "Aphanius apodus (GERVAIS, 1853)". Seriously Fish. Retrieved 2 March 2013.