Aphyosemion aureum Radda 1980

A.aureum Type locality. Wild male.
Photo Courtesy of Ed Pürzl


Meaning of Name

From Latin meaning golden, in reference to the golden yellow colour on the body.

First Description

Radda A.C. 1980.

Beschreibung zweier Aphyosemion Arten aus Süd-Gabun.

Aquaria 27 (11) : 201-205.

Size

4.5 - 5 cm (Radda & Purzl 1985).

Meristics

D = 13, A = 16-17, D/A = 6-7, ll = 30-32.

Karyotype

 

Sub-Genus

Has been placed in the sub-genus Mesoaphyosemion but crossing experiments by Hannink in 1982 show a greater affinity to A.punctatum which would place them in the Aphyosemion sub-genus.

Group

Originally thought to belong to the A.wldekampi group but some authors prefer to place it in the A.elegans group through crossing experiments.

Synonyms

None

Populations
  • West Koulamoutou
  • BBW 00 / 15
  • BSWG 96-12
  • BSWG 97 / 10
  • BSWG 97 / 11
  • EBT 96-8
  • EBT 96 / 12
  • EBT 96 / 16 - 30km West Moudouma
  • GACOCC 19 / 51 - Kouagna
  • GEB 94 / 6 - Mouila Pouvi
  • GEB 94 / 8 - Koulamoutou
  • GEB 94 / 9 - Boudianguila
  • GHP 80 / 06 - 35km Koulamoutou-Mimongo
  • GHP 80 / 7 - 47km Koulamoutou-Mimongo
  • PEG 96 / 09 - Ivélé
  • PEG 96 / 10 - Lemengué
  • PEG 96 / 12 - 5km Kouania-Koulamoutou
  • PEG 96 / 13 - Mouila Pouvi
  • PEG 96 / 13 - Mouila Pouvi
  • PEG 96 / 15 - 3km North Massango
  • PEG 96 / 21 - 30km West Moudouma
  • TDK 97 / 22
  • TDK 97 / 23

aff.aureum reported from

  • EBT 96 / 8 - Mouveng
  • PEG 96 / 9
  • PEG 96 / 10 - Lemengu

Ref: KCF website

A.aureum Type Locality. Wild female. Photo Courtesy of Ed Pürzl

Photo courtesy of Maurice Chauche & the KCF website.

GEB 94 / 9. Photo courtesy of Pat Rimmer
This population is more orange in the unpaired fins than the photo suggests.

 

GEB 94 / 9. Photo courtesy of Tony Terceira

 
Type Locality

Along the Lolo River 47km south west of Koulamoutou on Route National 6 towards Mimongo in a small rainforest stream near the village of Mouila 470 metres above sea level on the Du Chaillu Massif in Southern Gabon. This collection was called GHP 80 / 7.

Distribution

Restricted to the area of the type locality in the upper Lolo-Yaou drainage.

Habitat

Small, fast flowing mountain forest streams. Has also been caught directly in the River Lolo. Also caught in the Yaou River system of southern Gabon.

Type locality of A.aureum near the village (not town) of Mouila, Gabon.

Photo: Courtesy of Ed Pürzl.

Distinguishing Characteristics A near spotless fish with golden yellow fins.
Colour/Pattern Variability Low
History

Radda originally placed this sp. in the A.coeleste group. Brought into the UK in 1980 by Pürzl & Hofmann.

Breeding Notes

Not kept this one myself but reports suggest that it requires regular water changes which you would expect with a sp. coming from fast flowing mountain brooks. This would suggest this sp. is sensitive to a build up of dissolved metabolic waste.

Breeding is reportedly best carried out in a well planted tank (peat fibre has been recommended). When fry start to appear in the tank move the parents to another set-up & rear the fry on in the original breeding tank.

Growth is reported to be fairly rapid with sexual maturity attained around 6 months. Full adult size takes a little longer.
Reportedly not a prolific species. Following generations produce less fry & fish lose colour.

Diameter of Egg  
Remarks

The golden yellow colouration is nore brighter in wild caught fish. Tank raised fish do not seem as bright although the colour is retained in the un-paired fins. Sides of aquarium raised fish have a purple/blue colouration. Under good conditions the body has a brown/yellow sheen.

This sp. seems particularly susceptible to velvet so the tank must be kept clean & clear of un-eaten food left to decay. Regular water changes are required.