Edit Aphaniops sirhani
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Name
Scientific name
Aphaniops sirhani
Described by
Authority Villwock, Scholl & Krupp, Year 1983, Bracketed
Family
Aphaniidae
Common names
Azraq Toothcarp
Photograph credits
All 4 credited
Summary
The Azraq toothcarp, Aphaniops sirhani, is endemic to what remains of Azraq Oasis in the Wadi Sirhan valley of the Syrian Desert, Jordan. F…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
50mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 10–35°C, pH 7–8.5
Hardness
10–25dGH
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
Jordan
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
A. sirhani is endemic to what remains of Azraq Oasis in the Wadi Sirhan valley of the Syrian Desert. It is considered to be critically endangered by the IUCN.
Habitat
The recent history of the oasis arguably ranks among the most tragic cases of habitat degradation by humans yet seen. It is the only permanent water body in 12…
Aquarium size
A pair or small group can be kept in a container with base dimensions of 60cm x 30cm or equivalent but as a general rule members of this genus do better when m…
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 10 – 35 °C. Artificial heating is not required in all but the coldest climates and it should be provided w…
Diet
Aphaniops species are basically micropredators feeding on small aquatic crustaceans, worms, insect larvae and other zooplankton although algae and other plant …
Behaviour and compatibility
Its particular water requirements and vigorous spawning behaviour make A. sirhani a poor choice for the community aquarium. Given its precarious conservation s…
Sexual dimorphism
As with all members of the genus sexual dimorphism is pronounced. Males exhibit a series of dark vertical bars on the flanks with usually two bars in the cauda…
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
Phylogenetic studies have shown this species to be most closely related to A. dispar, A. richardsoni and A. ginaonis within the genus. It probably became isola…
References
References
1 on this profile