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Diapterons, are a small sub-genus group of Aphyosemion. Diapterons are different than most other species in the Aphyosemion by their blue spots, where other Aphyosemion have red spots or stripes. There are five species of Diapteron: Aph. (Diapteron) abacinum, Aph. (Diapteron) cyanostictum, Aph. (Diapteron) fulgens, Aphyosemion (Diapteron) georgiae, and Aph. (Diapteron) seegersi. Although Diapterons are available for hobbyists, they tend to be as rare here equally as they appear to be rare in the wild.
Diapterons originate from small streams in northern Gabon and the Republic of Congo in Africa, .and notably the Ivindo River system, with the exception being A. cyanostictum, which has a little greater range and can be also found in the nearby Benito River system. Diapterons inhabit the edges of the small creeks, and in tiny puddles found beside the creeks. Diapterons also inhabit the puddles and small pools formed by elephants and other large mammals when they walk through the creeks, or stop for water. There is very little live vegetation in these streams, because they run through thick jungles. In the home aquarium, Diapterons generally do best in in very soft/acid water with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5. dH range is 2.0 - 8.0. Although most Aphyosemion do well in higher ranges and without peat moss, Diapterons should be kept in small aquarium (3-5 gal.) with peat as the substrate or at least with peat mixed in the substrate. Although they come from streams and puddles without much vegetation, Diapterons do well with some plants in the aquarium, notably Java Moss. They do best in very subdued light, to simulate the darkness caused by the forest canopy. Diapterons also like cooler water of around 70 degrees, but their tolerance ranges are between about 64° - 74° F. Diapterons in the wild eat daphnia, mosquito larvae, and other small creatures, therefore, they do best if fed with brine shrimp, newly hatched brine shrimp nauplii, grindal worms and white worms. They will eat staple flake foods, but they do need live foods in their diets, as is true of all killifish and most tropical fish generally. Diapterons aren't difficult to raise and breed, but they aren't recommended as someone's first killifish. Other Aphyosemion, such as Aph. Australe, are better suited to be the first killi, so that the hobbyist can gain more experience breeding killies, raising small fry, and to work with the food cultures, notably nematodes like microworms or vinegar eels (for fry), hatching brine shrimp nauplii (for fry and adults), and maintaining cultures of grindal worms and white worms. Diapterons will spawn in spawning mops or Java Moss. Diapteron fry are also more slow to develop to maturity than most other killifish, requiring about a year for them to reach sexual maturity. See Breeding Diapterons (Aquarium-Club Members Only) Killifish Reference Books: |
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