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Hop to next section All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name Amphilius athiensis  Thompson & Page, 2010
Common Name
Type Locality Nairobi, Kenya, ca. 1°16'28"S, 36°48'47"E.
Pronunciation ahm FILL ee us
Etymology Amphilius: Not clear; probably from the Greek amphi, meaning both sides and leios, meaning smooth. Refers to the Athi River system, where the species appears to be endemic; used as a noun in apposition.
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 160mm or 6.3" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Most amphiliid species are found in fast-flowing water of clear, rocky streams at high elevations or rapids of large lowland rivers (Berra 2001; Roberts 2003).basins (Seegers et al. 2003). Species of Amphilius are adapted for fast flow and rocky habitats (Skelton 1986). Morphological adaptations for these habitats include expanded pectoral and pelvic fins with a thickened first ray, depressed body, dorsally directed eyes and reduced swim bladder (Skelton 1986; Walsh et al. 2000). The large pelvic fins form, in conjunction with the body, a feeble sucking disc that enables the fish to cling to rocks (Jackson 1961b).

distinguished from all other species of the A.uranoscopus group by its distinctive coloration consisting of many small dark spots on its head, body, and fins. Dorsal and lateral surfaces of head and body brown with many small black spots.Ventral region of head dark yellow or brown. Ventral region of body brown to dark yellow. Light dorsal saddles absent. Maxillary and mandibular barbels brown. Caudal fin with dark crescent-shaped band at base.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution Athi River system, Galana River basin, Kenya.
African Waters, Galana, Athi (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Vulnerable, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2022.
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding The diet of Amphilius species has been reported to consist predominantly of benthic aquatic insects (Marriott et al. 1997; Skelton 2001; Walsh et al. 2000). User data.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Bulletin of the Florida Museum of Natural History v. 49 (no. 2), pp 51, Fig. 2.
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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Last Update 2019 Oct 26 07:37 (species record created: 2012 Nov 24 05:18)