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Aphaniops dispar (Rüppell, 1829) Arabian pupfish |
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photo by
Hamidan, N.A. |
| Family: | Aphaniidae (Oriental killifishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 7 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish; marine, non-migratory | |||
| Distribution: | Middle East: along the shores of the Red Sea and Mediterranean. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-11; Anal soft rays: 9-11. Description: males with 8-11and females with 9-11 dorsal-fin rays; males and females with 9-11 anal-fin rays; males and females with 14-17 pectoral-fin rays; males and females with 6-8 pelvic-fin rays (Ref. 96446). | |||
| Biology: | Occurs in coastal zones, also found in oasis pools with hypersaline to fresh water (Ref. 3788). Forms schools. Chiefly a herbivorous species (Ref. 13530). Spawn in areas where roots of hyacinth or other floating plants abound (Ref. 44327). Not a seasonal killifish. Very difficult to maintain in aquarium (Ref. 27139). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 18 March 2013 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||