Aphaniops kruppi (Freyhof, Weissenbacher & Geiger, 2017)

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 725-726

Aphaniops kruppi

Common name. Omani killifish.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other species of Aphaniops in West Asia by: ● male with 9–14 brown or grey flank bars between pectoral, pelvic, and caudal bases, often dissociated into blotches in front of pelvic base / ● female with a diamond-shaped or vertically elongate black or dark-brown blotch at caudal base / ○ female with a midlateral row of vertically elongated black, grey or dark-brown blotches or narrow bars / ○ male without black dorsal margin, anal yellow anteriorly, with 3–8 narrow black or brown bands on posterior part of fin / ○ male with 2–3 bold, crescent-shaped black bars on caudal / ○ body covered by overlapping scales / ○ caudal truncate or slightly rounded / ○ 6–7½ branched dorsal rays. Size up to 52 mm SL.

Distribution. Oman : Coast of Dhofar northeast to Wadi Bani Khalid drainage. Wadi Bani Khalid is far inland. In small springs and falaj systems, for example, in the towns of Bani Bu Ali and Al Mudayrib. Populations in eastern Yemen are likely to belong to this species.

Habitat. Coastal wetlands, wadis, springs, falaj systems, and spring-fed streams.

Biology. Live up to 2 years, mature in a few months, usually late in year of birth. Males establish territories along banks, usually in dense vegetation but also between rocks, which they defend against rival males. Spawns throughout year. Females spawn with one or more males, usually in algae or other vegetation near the surface or on gravel beds. Few

eggs are laid in substrate during a spawning event. Individual females produce several clutches of eggs in one day. Feeds on algae, detritus, and small invertebrates.

Conservation status. LC.

Remarks. Molecular data show that A. kruppi is distinct from coastal populations of A. stoliczkanus . Aphaniops from many inland drainages north of Buraimi on the UAE-Oman border (e.g., Wadi Dayqah, Al-Hoota, Al Juwayf, Wadi Hatta, and Wadi Sayfam) are very similar to A. kruppi in colour pattern, but have mtDNA of A. stoliczkanus . They are thought to be hybrids and often non-native populations.

Further reading. Freyhof et al. 2017b (description).

Aphaniops richardsoni ; Neot HaKikar, Israel; female, ~ 50 mm SL.© B. Nicca.

Aphaniops richardsoni ; Neot HaKikar, Israel; males, ~ 50 mm SL.© B. Nicca.