Cynopoecilus multipapillatus, Costa, 2002

History

The history of this species is not very long. Discovered by Costa, Almeida, Pupo and Belote and later described by Dr. Wilson Costa himself. The species reproduction was never described in aqurium articles so far and al information is only known by the description. It is believed to be not much different than C. melanotaenia but has higher number of papillae along the flanks of the body. These papillae are small neurocells that appear under the scales along the lateral line of the body and give the species, as other species of Killifish, the ability to "feel" their surroundings. Cynopoecilus multipapillatus is found in a smal area near Rio Grande du Sul and Santa Catarina State, southeastern Brasil. It is the most northerly range the Genus can be found.

 
Aff. Cynopoecilus multipapillatus - male. © Image made, and donated by Herve Gonin, France.

Remarcably the species is able to outlive very low temperutures down to 12 C. for some weeks to months and withstand high teperutures as well up to 28 C. over a longer period of time.

The image above was sent to me by Herve Gonin, France who stated to have bred the species for over 3 years.


Reproduction
Cynopoecilus multipapillatus - baby . © Image made and donated by Xena Romero Leon, Spain
 
Cynopoecilus multipapillatus - eggs ready to hatch. © Image made and donated by Xena Romero Leon, Spain

Variations
Cynopoecilus aff. multipapillatus - Wild male, collected by Ariel Bornstein in 2007. © Image donated by Tony Terceira, USA.
Cynopoecilus multipapillatus - male. © Image made and donated by Xena Romero Leon, Spain

There are 2 Images of males presented in Killi Data Online , one made by Ruud Wildekamp and one by R. Suzart. The image you see here at the left is send to me by Tony Terceira, USA. It was collected by Ariel Bornstein in 2007. It is not clear yet if this is Cynopoecilus multipapillatus. In my opinion it could be because of the resembling stripe pattern, but further research will bring an outcome. Altouch it is no albino it seems that all the melanastic colour is absent. Thank you Tony for your contribution again.

To the left an image of a young male, just starting to colour. This image is made by Xema Romero Leon from Spain. Thank you also Xema.


Map

   

Meristics

Max. size 4.0 cm.
Dorsal 17.5,
Anal 23.5,
D/A -2.5,
LL scale count (average)26.5
Pre- dorsal length to % SL – 56.0 %
Depth to % SL – 25.0 %

   

Literature
Costa, W.J.E.M. 2002. The annual Fish genus Cynopoecilus (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae): Taxonomic Revision, with description of four new Species. Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters, 13 (1): 18, fig. 4.