Edit Aphanius fasciatus
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Name
Scientific name
Aphanius fasciatus
Described by
Authority Valenciennes, Year 1821, Bracketed
Family
Aphaniidae
Common names
Mediterranean Toothcarp
Photograph credits
All 5 credited
Summary
The Mediterranean toothcarp, Aphanius fasciatus, occurs around much of the Mediterranean coast, from France and the Adriatic to Syria and E…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
55mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 2–30°C, pH 7.5–9
Hardness
10–30dGH
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
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Montenegro, Slovenia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey
Writing
Etymology
Aphanius: from the Greek aphanés (Gr. ἀφᾰνής), meaninig 'invisible, unseen'. Allusion not explained, possibly in reference to the small size of type species A.…
Distribution
This specie is well-distributed around the Mediterranean coastline, including the Adriatic Sea, and has been recorded from the countries of France, Italy, Slov…
Habitat
Found in numerous habitat types although it mostly inhabits shallow coastal waters such as lagoons, salt marshes and first order streams in areas where submerg…
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
Temperature: Active over a wide temperature range of 2 – 30 °C. Artificial heating is not required in all but the coldest climates and it should be provided wi…
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 make A. fasciatus a poor choice for the community aquarium. Given its rarity in the hobby the emphasis should also be on capt…
Sexual dimorphism
As with all members of the genus sexual dimorphism is pronounced. Males exhibit a series of 8-15 blue/greyish vertical bars on the flanks. The anal fin usually…
Reproduction
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…
Notes
A 2003 phylogenetic study by Hrbek and Meyer showed that in genetic terms specimens of A. fasciatus collected from different localities do not vary as much as …
References
References
4 on this profile