Epiplatys esekanus Scheel 1968

E.esekanus collected from the type locality location. Wild fish.
Photo courtesy of Ed Pürzl.

Meaning of Name

After Eseka, near the type locality.
First Description

Scheel J.J. 1968.

Rivulins of the Old World. TFH Publications: p 187-187, 454-455, figures.
Size

6.5 cm
Meristics
  • D = 10, A = 16, D/A = +10-11, ll = 28-29 (Scheel 1968)
  • D = 10-12 A = 15-17 ll = 27-30 (Radda 1975)
  • D = 10, A = 16, ll = 26-29 (Radda 1979)
Karyotype

n = 21, A= 25 (Scheel 1990)
Sub-Genus

Epiplatys
Group

sexfasciatus
Synonyms
  • Aplocheilus esekanus Radda 1971
  • Aplocheilus (Epiplatys) esekanus Radda 1975
Populations
  • Bomnyebel
  • Eséka
  • Kelle River
  • M'Banga CB 99

Wild male possibly E.esekanus from a commercial import we found in a Cameroon shipment. Nicknamed E.sp.Flag after the anal fin.

  
Type Locality

A brook 15 miles north of Eseka close to the road junction of the Eseka - Jaunde - Edea roads, eastern Cameroon.
According to Eberl (BKA Newsletter No. 316) this area is difficult to find as new road has been built in this area.
Distribution

Limited to the area of the type locality & brooks of the Kélé River drainage. The area is situated at the base of a range of hills seperating the coastal lowland from the inland plateau.

http://homepage.uibk.ac.at/homepage/c102/c102mr/epiplaty/esekanus.htm
Habitat

 
Distinguishing Characteristics Anal fin is quite distinct with an outer margin of black, a submarginal band of yellow with another band of orange inside this. The population from M'Banga has a submarginal band of orange only in the photos I've seen but the fin is still distinctive. These markings are also seen in the pectorals & lower caudal fins.
Colour/Pattern Variability Low
History

Caught originally at the type locality. The holotype (a small male is deposited in the Copenhagen Zoological Museum.
Breeding Notes

Reportedly a difficult species to breed. Eggs are laid near the surface on mops or plants. Eggs should be taken out & stored either in water or on a bed of damp peat. Reports suggest they can be sensitive to fungus. Water incubation takes 14-16 days. Sexual maturity takes around 7 months. A slow growing species.
Diameter of Egg  
Remarks