Scientific Name
Aplocheilus dayi

Common Name
Ceylon killifish

Biology
Usually inhabits shallow, heavily shaded forest streams with a silt substrate. Also occurs in brackish mangrove swamps, often together with Aplocheilus parvus. Feeds on small insects, insect larvae and fish fry. Cultivated as a larvicidal fish (Ref. 4833). 10 cm max TL (Ref. 6028).Not a seasonal killifish. Is easy to maintain in the aquarium (Ref. 27139).

Classification

Classified By

Steindachner, 1892

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Live bearers, Killifishes and Rivulines (Cyprinodontiformes)

Family

Killifishes (Aplocheilidae)

Distribution

Region

Asia

Distribution

Asia: endemic to Sri Lanka. Reported from India and Malay Peninsula (Ref. 4833).

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

20 °C

Water Temperature To

25 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; non-migratory

Trophic Level

3.46 s.e. 0.43 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

9.0 cm

Common Length

7.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5078 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (10 of 100)

Resilience

Unknown

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated