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Cyprinodontiformes (Rivulines, killifishes and live bearers) >
Procatopodidae (African lampeyes) > Procatopodinae
Eponymy: Jørgen Jacob Scheel (1916–1989) was a Danish ichthyologist who specialised in the Aplocheiloidei. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 5.8 - 7.2; non-migratory. Tropical; 24°C - 28°C (Ref. 12468)
Africa: along coast from southwestern Nigeria eastward across Niger River delta to border with Cameroon (Ref. 57259); lower Lomé and Kienke drainages in southwestern Cameroon (Ref. 3788); and Rio Utonde and Rio Benito drainages in Equatorial Guinea (Ref. 3788).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 4.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 27139); 2.5 cm TL (female)
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 8; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 12 - 14. Diagnosis: Small ‘Lampeye’ with relatively long fins; dorsal, anal and caudal fins of the male trapezoid, upper lobe of caudal fin enlarged; ventral fins with extremely long second and third rays that may reach to the caudal fin base; dorsal-fin with 6-8 rays, anal fin with 12-14 rays; first dorsal fin ray above or just behind last anal fin ray; scales on mid-longitudinal series 24-27 (Ref. 57259).
Colouration: Male colouration: body is yellow-grey to pale olive, the ventral area being silver; the sides with a light blue iridescence of dust fine spots; the iridescence is most intense on the anterior part of the side; iridescent spots not arranged in horizontal lines or bands; scales on the back and the upper parts of the sides with a narrow dark grey margin, producing a weak reticulation; dorsal fin is very pale yellow to transparent with rows of dark red-brown spots; anal fin very pale yellow to transparent with horizontal rows of dark red-brown spots; the caudal fin is pale yellow with curved rows of dark red spots; two colour phenotypes can be identified, a white and an orange, according to the colour of the margins at the dorsal and anal fin, upper and lower caudal fin and the colour of the extended ventral fins; in the adult male the ventral fins may extend to the end of the caudal peduncle (Ref. 57259). Female colouration: translucent pale grey with silver abdominal region; some small golden spots may be present on the sides, usually on or near the mid-lateral line; scales on the sides have very narrow grey edgings; all fins are colourless, ventral fins not extended (Ref. 57259). Both sexes have a distinct reflective blue spot in the upper part of the iris (Ref. 57259).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal.
Found in rivers and brooks, mostly in weedy areas and under forest cover in river drainages (Ref. 3788); also brackish water, river mouths, lagoons and estuaries along the coast (Ref. 57259). Not a seasonal killifish. Is very difficult to maintain in aquarium (Ref. 27139).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Wildekamp, R.H. and F.J. Malumbres, 2004. Identification of Micropanchax scheeli (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae: Aplocheilichthyinae) with a description of a new species of the genus Poropanchax. Cybium 28(1):61-67. (Ref. 52760)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Aquarium: commercial
Tools
Special reports
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5156 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00562 (0.00222 - 0.01425), b=3.07 (2.85 - 3.29), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.2 ±0.4 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
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![Image of Poropanchax scheeli (Scheel\](/images/thumbnails/jpg/tn_Misch_u0.jpg "Image of Poropanchax scheeli (Scheel\")
