All fish / Nothobranchiidae

Red-chinned Panchax

Aphyosemion calliurum

Also known as calliurum killifish, banded lyretail, aphyosemion calliurum, calliurum, red chinned panchax, callirum killi, アフィオセミオン・カリウルム, 丽尾旗鳉

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A small killifish in which males are blue-green with red spots and a red throat, plus colourful unpaired fins and a tail edged in yellow or orange. Females are plainer and brownish. Keepers like it because it is colourful, small and a good deal hardier than many other killifish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

One male with two or three females, or a species tank

Diet

Carnivore: live and frozen foods such as daphnia, bloodworm, brine shrimp and mosquito larvae, with some quality flakes or granules

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Coastal West Africa: southern Benin, Nigeria and western Cameroon

Breeding

This is a non-annual species that lays its eggs among spawning mops or fine plants over several days. The eggs can be collected and incubated in water or on damp peat, and they usually hatch in about two to three weeks. It counts as one of the easier Aphyosemion to breed.

Good to know

It is an accomplished jumper, so the tank needs a tight lid. Males fight among themselves, and the fish are easily outcompeted by boisterous tankmates.