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Country · Africa

Benin

Only species with a profile on Seriously Fish are counted, whether native or introduced.

Species
6
Families
4
Genera
6
Found only here
0
Photographed
6 of 6
Male of B. gracilis.

Barboides gracilis

Cyprinidae · Brüning, 1929

Max length
18mm SL0.7in SL
Tank
45 × 20cm18 × 8in
Temp
21–26°C70–79°F
pH
6.0–7.0

Barboides gracilis is a miniature cyprinid from coastal West and Central Africa, ranging from Benin through Nigeria and Cameroon to Equatorial Guinea. Adults measure less than 20 mm SL, and it inhabits slow-moving, shady rainforest streams and swamps with dense marginal vegetation. It has a following among enthusiasts of planted 'nano' aquaria and may be sold as 'dwarf amber/ember barb'. Very peaceful but timid, it is best kept alone or with other diminutive West African species.

Moderate
'Barbus' sublineatus

'Barbus' sublineatus

Cyprinidae · Daget, 1954

Max length
100mm SL3.9in SL
Tank
120 × 30cm48 × 12in
Temp
22–27°C72–81°F
pH
6.0–7.0

'Barbus' sublineatus is a widespread West African barb found in river basins from Senegal east to Cameroon, including the Niger and Volta. It is very variable in patterning and can be difficult to identify: Upper Niger fish show three elongate midlateral markings, Middle Niger fish a continuous band and Volta fish four spots. It may prove to be a complex of closely-related species. Little is known of its captive care.

Moderate
Young, captive-raised adult male exhibiting neutral mood and colour pattern.

Chromidotilapia guntheri

Cichlidae · Sauvage, 1882

Max length
♂ 150 · ♀ 100mm SL♂ 6 · ♀ 3.9in SL
Tank
120 × 30cm48 × 12in
Temp
24–27°C75–81°F
pH
6.0–8.0

Chromidotilapia guntheri is a mouthbrooding cichlid from coastal drainages of western Africa between Liberia and Cameroon, plus the Niger and Benue. It occurs in a number of geographic forms, with fish from Cameroon tending to show dark blotches on the dorsal fin. A benthophagous omnivore, it sifts mouthfuls of substrate for food, and the male broods the eggs while the female defends the surrounding territory.

Moderate
Adult pair, female upper, 'GHP 85/10' collection.

Epiplatys sexfasciatusSix-barred Panchax

Nothobranchiidae · Gill, 1862

Max length
70mm SL2.8in SL
Tank
80 × 30cm31 × 12in
Temp
20–27°C68–81°F
pH
5.0–7.0

The six-barred panchax, Epiplatys sexfasciatus, is a killifish from coastal regions between Gabon and Ghana. Well established in the hobby in several forms, it has a confusing taxonomy, and some authors restrict it to northwestern Gabon and Equatorial Guinea and treat other populations as subspecies. It mostly inhabits freshwater swamps and minor tributary streams, and is relatively easy to breed.

Easy
Adult pair, male upper.

Parachanna africana

Channidae · Steindachner, 1879

Max length
300mm SL12in SL
Tank
120 × 60cm48 × 24in
Temp
22–28°C72–82°F
pH
5.0–7.5

Parachanna africana is an African snakehead found from Benin to Nigeria, in lowland coastal rivers draining into the Gulf of Guinea. Sometimes called the 'Niger snakehead', it is uncommon in the trade, and its name is sometimes misapplied to P. obscura. A series of 8-11 dark chevrons along the body identifies it, though these may not show depending on mood. It is best kept in a species-specific aquarium with a tight-fitting hood.

Moderate
Adult male of A. bitaeniatum 'Lagos red'.

Aphyosemion bitaeniatumTwo-Striped Lyretail

Nothobranchiidae · Ahl, 1924

Max length
45mm SL1.8in SL
Tank
not recorded
Temp
24–30°C75–86°F
pH
5.0–6.5

The two-striped lyretail, Aphyosemion bitaeniatum, is a killifish from lowland coastal regions of Togo, Benin and Nigeria. Its range reaches the Cross River delta and some inland localities along the lower Niger River. Populations in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon are now considered to represent other species.

Beginner
1 field missing