Edit Esmaeilius arakensis

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Name

Scientific name

Esmaeilius arakensis

Described by

Authority Teimori, Esmaeili, Gholami, Zarei, & Reichenbacher, Year 2012, Bracketed

Family

Aphaniidae

Common names

Arak Toothcarp

Photograph credits

All 6 credited

Summary

The Arak toothcarp, Esmaeilius arakensis, appears to be endemic to a handful of natural springs near Arak in the Namak Lake basin, northern…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

35mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 8–32°C, pH 7–8.5

Hardness

10–30dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Iran, Qom

Writing

Etymology

Esmaeilius: named for Iranian ichthyologist Hamid Reza Esmaeili "for his extensive contribution to the understanding of diversity within this genus", in combin…

Distribution

Appears to be endemic to a small part of the Namak Lake basin in Qom province, northern Iran, where it's restricted to a handful of natural springs near the ci…

Habitat

Namak is an endorheic salt lakelying south of the Alburz (Elburz) Mountains, east of the Zagros Mountains, west of the Kavir basin, and north of the Kuh-e Kark…

Aquarium size

A pair or trio can be kept in a container with base dimensions of 60 cm x 30 cm or so but as a general rule members of this genus do best when maintained as a …

Maintenance

Even for long-term maintenance a simple set-up will suffice. The most important factors are the provision of many broken lines of sight and a suitable medium i…

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Aphanius species are basically micropredators feeding on small aquatic crustaceans, worms, insect larvae and other zooplankton although algae and other plant m…

Behaviour and compatibility

Its particular water requirements and aggressive spawning behaviour make A. arakensis a poor choice for the community aquarium. Given its precarious conservati…

Sexual dimorphism

As with all members of the genus sexual dimorphism is pronounced. Males exhibit a series of silvery vertical bars in the rear portion of the body with sometime…

Reproduction

A. arakensis exhibits a reproductive strategy adaptated to unstable environments and fluctuating population sizes with a relatively short lifespan (<3 years…

A. arakensis exhibits a reproductive strategy adaptated to unstable environments and fluctuating population sizes with a relatively short lifespan (<3 years in most cases), early sexual maturity and a high reproductive effort. Captive reproduction is not difficult if the tank or container is properly arranged and maintained (see 'tank set-up'). It is a fractional spawner with females depositing eggs on a more-or-less continuous basis between the months of April and November with peaks in April and August.

Males form temporary territories which they defend against rivals while attempting to entice females to spawn. Dominant individuals will show more intense colouration. Eggs are released singly or in small batches and are attached to algae or other surfaces by means of small filaments. Aphanius typically eat their eggs/fry and the medium should therefore be checked on a daily basis during the spawning period.

The eggs are very small and must be treated carefully. Use a fine pair of forceps to gently remove pieces of medium with eggs attached whilst avoiding contact with the eggs themselves. Alternatively the entire medium can be removed and replaced every couple of days.

The medium/eggs should be transferred to a container with water of the same chemistry and temperature as that of the adults. The incubation period can vary a little with the temperature but is usually between 7 - 14 days with the fry being large enough to accept Artemia nauplii, microworm, etc., immediately after they become free-swimming.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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DOI

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Year

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Pages

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Notes

This species was available in the aquarium hobby for a number of years prior to publication of the official description and was generally referred to as A. sp.…

References

1 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References