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Paraphanius mento (Heckel, 1843) Pearl-spotted killifish |
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photo by
Karatash, A. |
| Family: | Aphaniidae (Oriental killifishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 5 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; freshwater, non-migratory | |||
| Distribution: | Asia: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon and Turkey. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-14; Anal soft rays: 9-13; Vertebrae: 25-26. This species is distinguished by the following: scales along the body 23-28; D 9-14: A 9-13; pectoral fins 12-16; pelvic fin rays 4-6; total gill rakers 11-15; jaw teeth display a long middle cusp and short lateral cusps; otoliths triangular in shape, have a prominent rostrum, and a straight sulcus; vertebrae 25-26, in the vertebral column with 5 preural vertebrae (PU1–5) with long haemal and neural spines, the presence of a small plate in front of the spines of PU5, flank scales are squarish to a vertical oval in general shape; no pelvic axillary scale; gut is s-shaped (Ref. 125310). | |||
| Biology: | Found in shallow water among vegetation, where it feeds on insect larvae, crustaceans, and algae. Breeds during the warmer months of the year. (Ref. 13609). 8 cm max TL (Ref. 11028). Not a seasonal killifish. Is easy to maintain in the aquarium (Ref. 27139). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 March 2013 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||