Pronothobrachius seymouri
PRONOTHOBRANCHIUS SEYMOURI (Loiselle & Blair sp.nov.)
B.K.A. Information Pamphlet No.86 September 1972
A sp. formerly known as code No. BKA U1
Habitat/Biotope: Accra Plains, Ghana in temporary pools unshaded but having a rich growth of aquatic vegetation at one end and emergent grasses at the other. The pH in identical pools was 6.8 with a DH of 1.0. The temperature was approx. 82F.
Description and colouration of males: The colouration is extremely variable but in general adult males are of a warm brown dorsally with a vivid metallic sheen which can be from golden yellow through to blue green, with violet on the flanks superimposed by spots and blotches of warm red to deep red. The vertical fins are of yellow-orange, bordered by a fine deep red margin. The dorsal, caudal and anal are edged and spotted heavily with dark red. The pectorals and ventrals are deep yellow spotted lightly with dark red. Size to 1.5 inches.
Description of the female: Again we find the female rather drably garbed; being a warm brown and having a white ventral region. A pale blue green flush is apparent on the flanks and sparsely dotted reddish brown. Fins are clear with perhaps a pale yellow tinge.
Maintenance and Breeding: So far it has been found reasonable to accommodate this species in a water of a mature character, peaty and with a pH reading of about 6.6 and with a DH of not more than 4 degrees German. The optimum temperature in the aquarium seems to be around 75F. which it will be observed is far higher than that recommended normally for Killies. Foods are the normal live foods as for most Killies with mosquito or midge larvae being preferred to others. As this is quite an aggressive species one would do well to watch and protect the females from the over zealous attentions of the male by placing plenty of refuge in the shape of mops or plants.
For breeding the above conditions seem to suit quite well with the spawning procedure being similar to that of Nothobranchius. Eggs are deposited in peat and it has been found that drying the eggs for approx. 8 weeks is far more satisfactory than water hatching. The fry grow rapidly on a diet of brine shrimp and micro worm. Young fish will commence breeding from 8 weeks of age. It would seem that this is a species that is continually spawning from 8 weeks until death.
There would appear to be a point when young fish are susceptible to bacterial infection and it has been found that this occurs when the fish are approx. 6 weeks old. A remedy is to keep fish and hence the tanks as clean and as isolated as possible during the 5th. to the 8th. week after hatching and avoid moving fish from tank to tank. Watch for an over feeding of brine shrimp and syphon off any uneaten after a few minutes.
Summary: A very beautiful if trying species and one is well rewarded when a batch of these fishes has been raised. As pointed out this was a fish previously known by the code BKA U1 and was sent back to this country by David Blair during the summer of 1969 when its array of fine colours soon made it an acquisition for members of the BKA. However not many folk seem to have done as well with this fish as we would all have liked. Thanks to the authors the name of this fish has been given in honour of our late friend and Technical Editor, Ted Seymour of Dundee.