Nimbapanchax melanopterygius Sonnenberg & Busch, 2009

Family:  Nothobranchiidae (African rivulines)
Max. size:  4.35 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic; freshwater,
Distribution:  Africa: Mount Nimba region, Guinea (Ref. 82704).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-14; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 15-16; Vertebrae: 28-28. A closed frontal neuromast system with one groove, preopercular neuromast system with 5 pores (Ref. 82704). Males and females have no pattern of vertical dark bars on the side (Ref. 82704). First dorsal fin ray behind origin of anal fin, situated above anal fin ray 6-7 and behind middle of body (Ref. 82704). Pectoral fin extending posteriorly, not reaching origin of pelvic fin; pectoral fin not reaching anal fin (Ref. 82704). Scales cycloid; body and head entirely scaled, except for ventral surface of head; frontal squamation of E- or G-type (Ref. 82704). Compared with Nimbapanchax leucopterygius this species has a dark black or brown margin on the anal fin in males, sometimes with a white submarginal stripe, and mainly blue-green center of anal and caudal fin with some brown or reddish-brown irregular blotches in males (Ref. 82704).
Biology:  Collected in small puddle at the bank of Cavally River with water temperature 24°C and in a small, slow flowing creek with a maximum depth of 60 cm and a water temperature of 25°C; water at the latter location was stained slightly brown, creek covered by small trees and bushes and its bank by herbaceous plants (Ref. 82704).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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