Epiplatys bifasciatus (Steindachner 1881)

Epiplatys bifasciatus are 5-6 cm long growing killifishes that come from West and Central Africa. Their natural environment is restricted to the small savanna-brooks and swamps. This species doesn’t require much space and will feel well in the tanks of 60L. Being quite shy it shouldn’t be mated with to active species.

Submitted by: Benedetta Spelta

GPS: 5.1025920, 7.2119422

Geographical region: Western Africa
Drainage Basin: Golf of Guinea
River catchment: Imo River
Water body type: Creek
Water body name: Nameless
Water body part: River mouth
Water body course: Lower course
Water body: tributary of: River
Tributary name: Imo

Type locality: Gribingui River at Fort Crampel, 6°59'S, 19°11'E, western Central African Republic. Distribution: Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso (Upper Volta), Niger, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic and Sudan, Côte d'Ivoire.
Conservation status/IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC)

Water Chemistry

Water information

Water type: Fresh water
Water color: Black water
Water transparency: High
Concentration of sediments: Low
Water temperature: 25.5 - 28.5 °C
Water flow/curent: Slow

Chemical parameters

pH: 5.8 - 6.8
Conductivity: 32 - 65
GH
KH
Dissolved Oxygen

Biology

Standard length

6.0 cm

Water volume (min. aquarium)

60 l

Social behaviour

Group fish

Behaviour description

The Epiplatys bifasciatus species have a lifespan of about two to three years. It is suggested to keep this species in a planted tank, decorated with fine-leaved vegetation and mosses. Since it is a good jumper, an aquarium lid is a requirement. These species are omnivores and accept all types of food: flakes, granules, but prefer live or frozen foods.

Aggression grade

Predator

Activity

Day active

Sexual dimorphism

Males are more colourful, possess more-extended fins and grow larger than females.

Nutrition in Nature

Insects (over 80%), crustaceans and arachnids. Chironomid larvae showed the highest frequency in fish food.

Reproduction

Breeding tank set-up

Epiplatys bifasciatus are oviparous they deposit their eggs on plants, which incubate in water.

Nutrition parents

A high dosis of black worms stimulates the well being and improves their fertility.

Mating type

Polygamous

Spawning behaviour

These species are not annual species, oviparous they deposit their eggs on plants, which incubate in water. They breed in groups made of one male and two females.

Breeding habits

Substrate-spawning

Hatching period

14 days

Number of eggs in average

vairable

Parental care

Fry number

variable

Nutrition fry

Hatched fry do best on infusoria as a first food for a few days.

Notes on reproduction

To breed them in larger numbers, the parents must be moved in a breeding aquarium with Java moss. Once the eggs are laid, they should be removed and placed in an incubator with an anti-fungal.