Aphyosemion sp. 'Oyo' RPC 91/8
Etymology
Aphyosemion: from the Greek aphúe (Gr. ἀφύη), meaning ‘a small fish’, and semeion (Gr. σημεῖον), meaning ‘banner, flag’, in reference to the “ornamented, often lyre-shaped” caudal fin in male individuals of genus members.
Classification
Order: Cyprinodontiformes Family: Nothobranchiidae
Distribution
Collected for the aquarium hobby in 1991 from close to the town of Oyo, Cuvette department, Republic of the Congo. The town lies on the Alima River, a right bank tributary of the middle Congo system.
Habitat
No details known, but expect it to have been collected from quiet backwaters, affluent streams or pools rather than the main river channel. Sympatric species comprised Epiplatys multifasciatus.
Maximum Standard Length
45 – 50 mm.
Aquarium SizeTop ↑
A tank or container with base measurements upwards of 45 ∗ 30 cm is acceptable for a pair or trio.
Maintenance
A dark substrate should be used and the tank should have dense areas of planting and pieces of wood to serve as cover. The use of floating plants to further diffuse the light is also recommended. This species is an accomplished jumper so the cover must be very tight fitting.
Water Conditions
Temperature: 18 – 23 °C
pH: 5.5 – 7.0
Hardness: 0 – 54 ppm
Diet
Small live or frozen foods such as Daphnia or bloodworm are preferred although the fish will also accept good quality flake in most cases.
Behaviour and CompatibilityTop ↑
Best maintained alone since the emphasis should ideally be on captive breeding.
Sexual Dimorphism
Highly pronounced, the male being the larger, far more brightly-coloured fish with longer caudal, dorsal and anal fins.
NotesTop ↑
This fish may be synonymous with the congener A. castaneum.
