Aphanius anatoliae (LEIDENFROST, 1912)

Classification

Order: Cyprinodontiformes Family: Cyprinodontidae

Distribution

Central and western Anatolia, Turkey where it can be found in freshwater springs, streams and small rivers feeding Lake Tuz as well as the Turkish Lakes (Göller Bölgesi) region in the west Taurus mountains, around Lakes EÄŸirdir, BeyÅŸehir and Kovada. It has also been recorded from various rivers, pools and swamps between the cities of Konya and NiÄŸde and further west from springs of the Büyük Menderes drainage and within the area of coastal wetland formed by the river‘s lower reaches in the Selçuk plain.

 Populations from Lake Çavuşçu and the upper Sakarya river basin that had also been considered closely–related to A. danfordii were elevated to species status in 2003 and are now classified as A. villwocki.

Unfortunately the species is not as widespread as it once was. Around Lake Tuz several populations have disappeared or are considered at risk due to pollution or removal of water for agriculture and it has already been extirpated from Lakes Ak, Yarışlı, Gölhisar and Söğüt. In 1996 one relict population was discovered inhabiting irrigation canals at the northern end of the Söğüt plain. The introduction of predatory species to Lakes EÄŸirdir and BeyÅŸehir has resulted in a serious decline of the numbers recorded. In the north and northeast of the Konya steppe it now occurs sympatrically with A. mento due to the construction of a number of agricultural canals in the area but potential effects of this overlap, such as hybridisation, have not yet been studied. See the ‘notes‘ section for a little more on the distribution of Aphanius in Anatolia.

It is quite variable across its range with body and fin colouration often being indicative of locality. The different forms are often labelled with the collection details by aquarists and scientists in order to preserve bloodlines and maintain accuracy e.g. ‘EÄŸirdir‘, ‘BeyÅŸehir‘, ‘Işıklı’ etc.

Habitat

This species is found living in various habitat–types depending on the locality with some populations existing in slightly brackish conditions and others in pure freshwater. For example Lake Tuz is a shallow, seasonal, hyper–saline lake located to the southeast of Ankara and in hotter months becomes almost completely dry exposing a residual salt layer up to 30cm thick. The fish are unable to survive in the main body of the lake and are restricted to surrounding, mildly saline waters. 

EÄŸirdir and BeyÅŸehir are freshwater systems and while A. anatoliae can be found in the lakes themselves it tends to be restricted to reedy marginal zones due to the presence of predatory species both native and introduced. In other areas it has been observed in swamps, pools, smaller rivers and streams, usually where filamentous algae or submerged/marginal vegetation grows thickly.

Maximum Standard Length

40 – 55 mm.

Aquarium SizeTop ↑

A pair or trio can be kept in a container with base dimensions of 60 cm x 30 cm or so but as a general rule members of this genus do better when maintained as a larger group in a space measuring upwards of [dimensions].

Maintenance

Even for long–term maintenance a simple set–up will suffice. The most important factors are the provision of many broken lines of sight and a suitable medium in which the fish can deposit eggs. Female and subdominant male individuals must be offered the opportunity of respite from the aggressive alpha males during the spawning season so much of the available space can be filled with acrylic wool mops (use a fine grade if available), clumps of java moss/other fine–leaved plant and ideally filamentous algae. 

There‘s no need to add a substrate although inert sand or gravel can be added if you prefer. Filtration need not be too strong and this species certainly does not require running water as suggested by some sources. It is possible, and preferable, to maintain it outdoors all year round in many countries and it will show better colours and overall condition if exposed to at least a few hours of natural sunlight each day.

Water Conditions

Temperature: Active over a wide temperature range of [temp]. Artificial heating is not required in all but the coldest climates and it should be provided with a ‘winter‘ period of several months during which it is maintained at low temperatures or it is likely to suffer both reduced fecundity and a shortened lifespan.

pH: [pH]. It will probably not survive under acidic conditions.

Hardness: [hardness]

Diet

Aphanius species are basically micropredators feeding on small aquatic crustaceans, worms, insect larvae and other zooplankton although algae and other plant material is also taken at times. In the aquarium they will learn to accept dried foods in most cases but should also be offered regular meals of small live or frozen fare such as Artemia, Daphnia or bloodworm. This is particularly important during the months of spring and summer due to their high reproductive effort throughout this period. If the aquarium or container does not contain filamentous algae try to introduce a good quality dried product with added Spirulina content to the diet.