Iberian Toothcarp (Aphanius iberus) Care Guide
A small euryhaline killifish endemic to Spain's Mediterranean coast, suited to hard alkaline water and a single-species setup.
Overview
Aphanius iberus is a small toothcarp endemic to the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Adults rarely exceed about 5 cm in length, with males showing bluish to silver vertical bars and females a greenish-brown body with darker blotches. The species tolerates a wide range of salinity, which lets it occupy coastal habitats where few other fishes persist.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinodontidae
- Genus: Aphanius
- Scientific name: Aphanius iberus
- Common synonym: Spanish Toothcarp
Habitat
The natural range runs along Spain's Mediterranean coast, historically from the wetlands of Alt Empordà south to the Adra River in Almería, including the Ebro Delta and Mar Menor lagoon system. It lives in shallow, slow-moving waters such as river mouths, coastal lakes, salt marshes and ponds. Being euryhaline, it ranges from fresh water to highly saline conditions, and populations have retreated into more saline pockets where they avoid competition with introduced mosquitofish (Gambusia).
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L
- Temperature: 16-26 °C (61-79 °F)
- pH: 7.5-8.5
- GH: 15-30 °dGH
- Lifespan: 2-4 years
Sources note this species is active across a wide temperature range and does poorly in acidic water. Many keepers add a small amount of marine salt, reflecting the brackish origins of most stock.
Diet
Aphanius iberus is an omnivorous micropredator. In the wild it feeds on insects, small crustaceans, worms and algae. In aquaria it takes small live and frozen foods such as Artemia, Daphnia and bloodworm, supplemented with quality dried foods containing Spirulina.
Compatibility
This is a poor choice for a mixed community because of its specific water needs and aggressive spawning behaviour. It is best kept alone as a single-species group, with two or three females per male to spread male attention. Long-finned community fish should be avoided.
Breeding
It is a fractional (repeat) spawner that breeds from roughly April to September. Eggs are attached to algae by fine filaments and hatch in about one to two weeks. Free-swimming fry accept newly hatched Artemia almost immediately.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened. The species declined sharply in the late 20th century due to habitat loss and the spread of introduced mosquitofish, and a number of historical populations have been lost.