Our Guide To Keeping Lyretail Killifish

1. About Fish Species:

   • Scientific name: Aphyosemion australe hjersseni
   • Common name: Lyretail Killifish
   • Family: Nothobranchiidae
   • Origin: West Africa, including parts of Gabon, Cameroon, and surrounding forest stream habitats
   • Adult length: 5 to 6 cm
   • Lifespan: 2 to 3 years
   • Diet: Carnivore
   • Care Level: Easy to Moderate
   • Temperament: Peaceful

2. Tank Setup:

   • Lyretail Killifish do best in a mature, well-planted aquarium with gentle lighting and plenty of cover. A minimum tank size of around 40L is suitable for a pair or small group.
   • Provide dense planting, floating plants, leaf litter, fine-leaved plants, and shaded areas to help them feel secure. They appreciate a calm aquarium with hiding spaces among roots, plants, and botanicals.
   • A secure lid is essential, as Lyretail Killifish are excellent jumpers and may escape through even small gaps.

3. Water Parameters:

   • Lyretail Killifish prefer soft to moderately soft water with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 6.0 to 7.2.
   • Keep the water temperature between 20 to 24°C, although they can tolerate slightly warmer conditions for short periods.
   • Good water quality is important, but they do not need strong flow or overly bright conditions.

4. Filtration and Water Flow:

   • A gentle filter is best for Lyretail Killifish, as they naturally inhabit slow-moving streams, pools, and shaded waters.
   • Sponge filters or low-flow internal filters are ideal, especially in smaller aquariums or breeding setups.

5. Diet:

   • Lyretail Killifish are carnivores and should be offered a varied diet of small meaty foods. They will usually accept quality micro pellets or fine granules once settled.
   • Supplement their diet with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, bloodworms, and microworms to encourage strong colour and breeding condition.
   • Feed small portions once or twice daily, removing uneaten food to maintain good water quality.

6. Tank mates:

   • Lyretail Killifish are peaceful and can be kept with other small, gentle fish that enjoy similar quiet conditions.
   • Suitable tank mates include small rasboras, peaceful tetras, pygmy corydoras, small pencilfish, and some peaceful dwarf shrimp, although very small shrimp may be eaten.
   • Avoid large, aggressive, boisterous, or fin-nipping species that may stress them or damage their fins.

7. Behavior and Compatibility:

   • Lyretail Killifish are generally calm, attractive fish that spend much of their time exploring planted areas and shaded parts of the aquarium.
   • Males can show mild territorial behaviour towards each other, especially in smaller tanks, so provide plenty of cover if keeping more than one male.
   • They are best kept as a pair, trio, or small group, with more females than males where possible to reduce chasing during breeding behaviour.