Edit Aphaniops dispar
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Name
Scientific name
Aphaniops dispar
Described by
Authority Rüppell, Year 1829, Bracketed
Family
Aphaniidae
Common names
Arabian Toothcarp
Photograph credits
All 3 credited
Summary
The Arabian toothcarp, Aphaniops dispar, is found around the coasts of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Inland populations also exist, and…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
80mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 4–30°C, pH 7.5–9
Hardness
15–35dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Not recorded
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen
Writing
Etymology
Aphaniops: named for the related genus Aphanius, within which members were formerly placed, in combination with the taxonomic suffix -ops, meaning 'resembling'…
Distribution
Found around the coastlines of the Red Sea (Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti and western Saudi Arabia) and the Gulf of Aden (Somalia and Yemen, including Socotr…
Habitat
Found in numerous habitat types although it mostly inhabits shallow coastal waters such as lagoons and first order streams where submerged vegetation or filame…
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 ofthis genus do better when maintained as a…
Maintenance
Even for long-term maintenance a simple set-up will suffice. The most important factors are the provision of plenty of cover and a suitable medium in which the…
Water conditions
Temperature: Generally active over a wide temperature range of 39 - 86°F/4 - 30°C but some populations will not do well below 59°F/15°C. Studies have shown tha…
Diet
Omnivorous although it displays a marked vegetarian tendency compared to most congeners with a large proportion of the natural diet being composed of algae and…
Behaviour and compatibility
Its particular water requirements make A. dispar a poor choice for the community aquarium. Given its rarity in the hobby the emphasis should also be on captive…
Sexual dimorphism
As with all members of the genus sexual dimorphism is pronounced but in this case the patterning varies according to the origin of the fish. The flanks of the …
Reproduction
Captive reproduction is not difficult if the tank or container is properly arranged and maintained (see 'tank set-up'). Unlike other Aphanius, A. dispar tends …
Notes
A. dispar should only be considered a nominal species as demonstrated by Hrbek and Meyer (2003) who conducted an in-depth phylogenetic study covering the major…
References
References
3 on this profile