Scriptaphyosmion chaytori
SCRIPTAPHYOSEMION CHAYTORI (Roloff 1971)
Originally published as: B.K.A. Information Pamphlet No.126 1985
Meaning of Name: After Dr. Daniel Chaytor.
First Description: DATZ, June 1971.
Size: 5 cm.
Meristics: D=12, A=15, D/A 6 Karyotype: n=21.
Synonyms: Roloffia chaytori Roloff 1971. R. SL 27.
Populations: ROKUPR, KASEWE, NGABU.
Distribution: Sierra Leone.
Habitat: They are found in small brooks and streams which are high in oxygen content. These streams flow into deep shadow from jungle trees. Water chemistry in this area is pH 6.0-7.0, DH 1-7 with a water temperature of 73-77F.
Distinguishing Characteristics: Perhaps the best method of identification is through the females which have numerous spots on their sides. This marking is unique to this species as females of other (former Roloffia) species have either no spots or a greater degree of marking.
Males have a basic body colour of pale blue with heavy red markings on flanks and unpaired fins. Outer margins of the unpaired fins are also pale blue.
History: First discovered by E.Roloff at the discharge of the Rokupr pumping station in Sierra Leone. Clausen was due to describe this type but could not do so due to contracting a disabling disease while working in West Africa. Dr. Max Poll of the Congo Museum in Belgium was later asked to identify them and did so as R.liberiense. Roloff was not convinced they were this species and took photographs of female liberiense from the British Museum and compared these with the Rokupr material. The difference showed that they were undoubtedly two different species. Roloff described them as Roloffia chaytori in 1971.
Breeding: Reports suggest that this species is a topspawner which prefers to lay eggs in floating vegetation or surface mops. Little information is available as to breeding requirements, but the species does inhabit shaded streams which would indicate that plenty of cover and a shaded breeding tank would be advisable. Eggs incubate in water for 2-3 weeks. Fry are able to consume newly hatched brine shrimp. spawning has been observed when the young fish are 6-7 months old. They have been recorded to spawn up to the age of 2.5 years.
Diameter of Egg: 1.1 mm.
Remarks: This is a very colourful member of the genus which unfortunately is rarely seen in the hobby. This is very surprising since Roloff first collected them in 1963. For further information on this species the reader is encouraged to see the BKA Seperatum “Roloffia chaytori spec. nov. Description of a new Roloffia species from Sierra Leone.” by E.Roloff
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