Blue Lyretail Killifish care guide
Blue Lyretail Killifish (Fundulopanchax sjoestedti) — minimum tank 60 L, temperature 20-24 °C, pH 6-7.
Overview
The Blue Lyretail Killifish (Fundulopanchax sjoestedti) is a large West African killifish with brilliant blue-green flanks, red spotting and elongated lyretail caudal fins in males.
Taxonomy
- Family: Nothobranchiidae
- Genus: Fundulopanchax
- Scientific name: Fundulopanchax sjoestedti
- Common synonyms: Steel Blue Aphyosemion
Habitat
Native to seasonally flooded forest swamps and slow tributaries of southern Nigeria and Cameroon, in soft, acidic and often tannin-stained water.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L (15.9 US gal)
- Adult size: 8-12 cm
- Temperature: 20-24 °C (68-75 °F)
- pH: 6-7
- GH: 2-8 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 2-3 years
Diet
A predatory carnivore. Offer live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, mosquito larvae and small earthworms; will accept high-quality pellets after training.
Compatibility
A semi-aggressive species. Keep one male with multiple females in a heavily planted species tank. Other tankmates should be robust and similarly sized; avoid small fish and shrimp that will be eaten.
Breeding
A non-annual egg-depositor. Eggs are attached to spawning mops or fine-leaved plants; incubation lasts roughly 2-3 weeks. Some populations tolerate brief diapause.