General Information
Scientific Name: |
Rheocles vatosoa - Stiassny, M.J., Rodriguez, D.M. and Loiselle, P.V. 2002 |
Common/Native Name: |
Crystal Rheocles |
Type Locality: |
Madagascar: Marovato creek at Ambodivohitra village: Several kilometers north of Marovato village on the road to Ambalamangy: Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) Province: Lokoho River drainage : Andapa drainage basin |
Pronunciation: |
RHEE-o-klees VAT-o-so |
Etymology: |
Malagasy word for crystal or gemstone: referes to the jewel-like colouration of living specimens. |
Species Details
Maximum Size: |
3.15 inches (8.0cm) |
Identification: |
Males:Larger than females, deeper-bodied and possess longer dorsal and anal fins.Both Sexes:Genital papilla not pigmented. Second dorsal and anal: creamy yellow basally, burgundy to dark orange-red distally with black distal margin. |
Population differences: |
No known population differences |
Sexual Morphology: |
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First Description: |
Rheocles vatosoa, A New Species of Freshwater Rainbowfish (Atherinomorpha: Bedotiidae) from the Lokoho River Basin in Northeastern Madagascar in: Cybium 2002, 26(1): 71-77 |
Synonyms: |
No known synonyms |
Habitat Information
Distribution/Collection Locales: |
Andrakata stream- 2000 by P.V. Loiselle Marovatobe creek- 2000 by P.V. Loiselle Andramonta river- 1999 by P.V. Loiselle. Marovato creek- 1999 by P.V. Loiselle Betsivakiana river- 1996 by F. Andreone Antangena river- 1994 by P. de Rham |
Conservation Status: |
Stiassny, Rodriguez and Loiselle note that "although it remains sufficiently abundant to support an artisanal basket fishery . . . the numbers of the new species have declined substantially over the past half century" (Stiassny, Rodriguez and Loiselle, 2002) The complete replacement of the aboriginal vegetation covering the Andapa basin floor with rice paddies has forced Rheocles vatosoa into streams that drain the slopes fo the surrounding mountains. Rheocles vatosoa is listed as "Endangered" based on IUCN Red List criteria, due to the loss of habitat and the presence of exotic competitors (G. holbrooki and Channa cf. striata). |
Typical Habitat: |
Riverine; predominantly in clear streams over gravel or coarse sand bottoms. Found in both rapidly flowing rivers and small brooks. |
Typical Water Parameters: |
pH: 6.80-7.50 Temperature: 65.0-69.0 °F Conductivity: 23-30 µS Hardness: <1°DH |
Cohabitates with: |
Gambusia holbrooki Channa cf. striata |
Husbandry Information
Origin of Captives: |
No known captive populations |
Aggressiveness: |
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Tank Size: |
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Feeding: |
In the wild:Stomach contents indicate that this species is an oportunistic feeder on both terrestrial and aquatic insects. |
Water Parameters: |
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Tank Filtration/Set-up: |
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Breeding Requirements: |
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