All fish / Nothobranchiidae

Splendid Killifish

Aphyosemion splendopleure

Also known as splendid killi, aphyosemion splendopleure, splendopleure killifish, aphyosemion splendopleuris, アフィオセミオン・スプレンドプレウレ, 华丽旗鳉

This small killifish comes from rainforest streams. Males have a blue to green body with red spots and fins edged in orange, red and yellow, while females are a plain brown. Hobbyists keep it in small, dimly lit planted tanks for its bright colours, and it does not need very warm water.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

20 to 25 °C

pH

6 to 7

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

One male with two or three females

Diet

Carnivore: live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, plus some quality flakes

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Coastal Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon

Breeding

It spawns among plants or spawning mops and lays a few eggs a day over a long period. The eggs hatch in around two to three weeks, either in water or after a short time incubated on damp peat. Breeding is fairly easy for anyone who has kept killifish before.

Good to know

It is an excellent jumper, so the lid must fit tightly. It needs cool, soft water and can be bullied by larger or boisterous tankmates. Wild populations are sold with location codes, and these should not be mixed.