Killifish

• 20 Mar 2025

Source: DTE 

A new species of killifish (Nothobranchius sylvaticus), has been discovered in Kenya’s Gongoni Forest (7.09 million years old). It is the first known endemic forest-dwelling killifish. 

• It is endemic to Kenya and is classified as Critically Endangered (IUCN). 

Killfish: 

• About: Killifish are small, egg-laying (oviparous) fish belonging to the Cyprinodontiformes order, commonly known as toothcarps. 
• Habitat: Killifish inhabit freshwater and brackish waters across the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, with some species thriving in ephemeral (seasonal) water bodies like swamps and temporary pools. 
• Adaptability: They adapt to extreme environments, tolerate high salinity and low oxygen, and serve as model organisms in aging and genetics research. 

Kenya: 

• Location: Kenya (an equatorial and East African nation), borders South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean.  
• The Dadaab Refugee Complex is one of the largest camps, sheltering refugees from Somalia’s civil war. 
• Major Lakes: Lake Turkana, Lake Victoria (shared by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda), etc. 
• India is sourcing 20 cheetahs from Kenya for Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan) to aid population revival. 

Read More: New Fish Species Discovered