Aphyosemion Australe

Datasheet

General Description

The Aphyosemion Australe, also known as the Lyretail Killi, is one of the early popular killifishes in the aquarium hobby. It is recognized for its beauty, ease of spawning, longevity in captivity, and adaptability. With ornamental forms such as 'orange', 'gold', 'chocolate', and 'albino', this species is relatively hardy and shy, making it ideal for aquarists new to killifishes. It belongs to the classification order Cyprinodontiformes and the family Nothobranchiidae, with a maximum size of 6.0cm.

Aquarium Setup

For an A. Australe aquarium setup, a dark substrate is recommended along with floating plants to diffuse the light, as these fish are known to jump. The tank should have very tight-fitting covers for security. Water conditions should ideally have a hardness of 18-179ppm, a pH of 5.5-7.0, and a temperature range of 21-32°C. (See table for details).

Behaviour

When kept in a community setup, A. australe is peaceful and shy, thus prone to being outcompeted by more vigorous fish. Suitable tankmates include small characins, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, peaceful catfish like Corydoras spp., small Loricariids, and some Anabantoids.

Feeding and Diet

A. australe prefer small live or frozen foods such as daphnia or bloodworms. Most specimens in captivity will also accept high-quality flake food. A varied diet is essential for their health and vibrancy.

Reproduction & Dimorphism

Reproduction of A. australe is relatively easy, with a method known as egg 'hanging' among hobbyists. Males are larger and more brightly colored with distinct fin extensions, while females are smaller, plainer, and rounder in the belly.

Habitat and Distribution

In the wild, A. australe typically inhabits permanent water bodies like swamps and small streams. It is not an annual species and was first described close to the mouth of the Ogooué River in Gabon. Their distribution includes lowland areas along the coastlines of Gabon and the Congo.