Micropanchax kingii (Boulenger, 1913)

Family:  Procatopodidae (African lampeyes), subfamily: Procatopodinae
Max. size:  4 cm TL (male/unsexed); 3.5 cm TL (female)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater, non-migratory
Distribution:  Africa: Lake Chad area of northern Chad, northern Cameroon and northeastern Nigeria (Ref. 57259); also Sobat, Wadi Halfa and White Nile drainages in central Sudan (Ref. 3788).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-7; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 10-12; Vertebrae: 26-27. Diagnosis: Small and slender species with rounded fins; dorsal fin with 5-7 rays, anal fin with 10-12 rays; scales on mid-lateral series 25-28 (Ref. 28714, 57259). Description: Lower gill rakers on first gill arch 8-10 (Ref. 367). Caudal peduncle length 1.7-2.1 times in its depth (Ref. 367). Dorsal fin with 5-7 rays; anal fin with 10-12 rays; pectoral fin with 11-12 rays; pelvic fin with 6 rays (Ref. 367, 28714, 57259). With 25-28 scales in longitudinal series; 16 transversal scales in front of pelvic fins (Ref. 367, 28714, 57259). Number of vertebrae 26-27 (Ref. 367). Colouration: Male colouration: translucent grey to pale yellow-olive in overall colour; the scales on the back and sides have narrow dark grey borders and the sides show some light blue iridescence, especially posteriorly; the dorsal fin is pale yellow, becoming darker yellow towards the margin, and with some small dark grey spots near the base; the anal and caudal fins are both pale yellow to pale orange and lack any other markings; caudal fin with orange terminal margin (Ref. 57259). Female colouration: similar in body colouration to the male but lacking the light blue iridescence on the sides; all unpaired fins are colourless (Ref. 57259). Both sexes show a bright light blue to blue-green reflection in the upper part of the iris (Ref. 57259).
Biology:  Found in pools, swamps, shallow waters and drainage ditches (Ref. 3788, 57259). Not a seasonal killifish (Ref. 27139).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 May 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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