中条扁鮰

Overview

Known from only a few sites in the Ubangi drainage, Epiplatys mesogramma has a much narrower documented occurrence than the size of that river basin might suggest. A shaded planted aquarium is a suitable starting arrangement, and collection labels deserve preservation.

Distribution & habitat

The species is endemic to the southwestern Central African Republic within the Ubangi system. Its type site is a small roadside stream south of Bangui. The Ubangi is a major Congo tributary, but this fish is documented at only a handful of locations rather than throughout the basin.

Aquarium setup

Arrange sand and branching wood beneath dense plants, leaving sheltered spaces among the roots. Shade from floating vegetation complements low-light ferns, mosses, and other tolerant plants. A modest layer of dried leaves provides additional shelter and supports microorganisms that fry may graze. Natural peat is not needed to achieve these effects.

Diet & feeding

Natural feeding is presumed to involve small invertebrates. Use appropriately sized dry food alongside daily live or frozen fare such as small crustaceans and worms. Tiny insects can also be offered after they have fed on fish flakes or vegetable material.

Sexual dimorphism

Males are larger and more colorful and develop longer fins than females.

Notes

Maintain locality and collection-code labels with known lines to avoid mixing their ancestry. Such labels identify populations rather than automatically denoting separate species.