All fish / Nothobranchiidae

Gabon Lyretail

Aphyosemion gabunense

Also known as gabon killifish, gabunense killi, aphyosemion gabunense marginatum, aphyosemion gabunense boehmi, gabunense lyretail, アフィオセミオン・ガブネンセ, 加蓬旗鳉

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A small killifish from forest streams in Gabon. Males are blue to turquoise with red spots and a lyre-shaped tail edged in yellow, orange or red, which varies between the named subspecies and collection sites. Hobbyists keep it for these bright colours and because it suits small, densely planted tanks with soft water.

Care at a glance

Care level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Adult size: 5 cm
Temperature: 21 to 25 °C
pH: 5.5 to 7
Smallest tank: 40 litres
Keep as: One male with two or three females
Diet: Carnivore: live and frozen bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, small insects; may take some flakes
Swims: Top of the tank
Lifespan: 2 to 3 years
Water: Freshwater
Wild range: Coastal Gabon and Equatorial Guinea

Breeding

It lays eggs on spawning mops or fine plants over several weeks. The eggs hatch in roughly two to three weeks in water, or can be stored briefly on damp peat. Breeding is fairly easy for anyone with some killifish experience.

Good to know

Keep the tank tightly covered because it jumps well, and keep it on the cool side. Do not mix the different populations, so that each line stays pure.