Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cyprinodontiformes (Rivulines, killifishes and live bearers) >
Procatopodidae (African lampeyes) > Procatopodinae
Eponymy: Sir Harry Hamilton Johnston (1858–1927) was a formidable English explorer, botanist, linguist and colonial administrator. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Günther.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.5 - 7.2; non-migratory. Tropical; 18°C - 26°C (Ref. 2060); 10°S - 28°S
Africa: widely distributed in southern Africa; present in various lakes and river drainages in Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa and southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ref. 47311, 52193).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 8.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 31267); common length : 4.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 27139)
Found near the surface and among weeds in which it seeks refuge and food (Ref. 5595). Prefers standing or gently flowing water as in river backwaters, floodplains (Ref. 7248), swamps (Ref. 7248, 47311), creeks and pools (Ref. 47311). Usually found in small shoals near the surface, among fringing vegetation; usually abundant when present (Ref. 47311, 52193). It feeds on small invertebrates like mosquito larvae and daphnia (Ref. 52193). A serial spawner, laying eggs which attach to vegetation (Ref. 52193). When food is abundant, breeding occurs daily over an extended period (year-round where conditions are suitable) (Ref. 7248, 52193). 6 cm max TL (Ref. 3788). Not a seasonal killifish. Is difficult to maintain in aquarium (Ref. 27139).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Wildekamp, R.H., R. Romand and J.J. Scheel, 1986. Cyprinodontidae. p. 165-276. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels, MRAC; Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 2. (Ref. 3788)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Tools
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5001 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00646 (0.00263 - 0.01585), b=3.09 (2.87 - 3.31), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this species & (Sub)family-body (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.2 ±0.40 se; based on food items.
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
![Image of Micropanchax johnstoni (Johnston\](/images/thumbnails/jpg/tn_Apjoh_u0.jpg "Image of Micropanchax johnstoni (Johnston\")
