Fundulopanchax filamentosus Care Guide
Fundulopanchax filamentosus, the plumed lyretail, is a West African killifish from coastal rainforest swamps, kept in soft, warm water.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Fundulopanchax filamentosus is a West African killifish of the family Nothobranchiidae, named for the filaments extending from the caudal lobes of males. FishBase records it at up to 5.5 cm total length and considers it very difficult to maintain in the aquarium.
Taxonomy
- Family: Nothobranchiidae
- Genus: Fundulopanchax
- Scientific name: Fundulopanchax filamentosus
Habitat
FishBase places the species in Togo, Benin and Nigeria, where it inhabits swamps and the swampy parts of shallow brooks in coastal rainforest.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 50 L (about 13 gal)
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.0
- GH: 2-10 °dGH
- Lifespan: 2-3 years
Diet
A carnivore. FishBase notes its natural diet consists of worms, crustaceans and insects, which can be replicated with small live and frozen foods.
Compatibility
A peaceful surface-oriented species. FishBase describes a polygynous pattern in which one male spawns with several females, so harem groups suit it well. A tight cover is essential.
Breeding
FishBase describes it as a bottom spawner with an incubation period of about 1.5 months.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2019), per FishBase.
Plumed Lyretail Breeding Guide
Overview
Fundulopanchax filamentosus is a Nothobranchiidae killifish from Togo, Benin and Nigeria, where it lives in swamps and the swampy parts of shallow rainforest brooks. FishBase records a maximum length of about 5.5 cm and describes it as a bottom spawner with around 1.5 months of incubation, in which one male spawns with several females.
Sexing
Males carry the strikingly extended filaments on the upper and lower caudal lobes and are the larger, more colourful sex. As in plant-spawning killifish generally, females are plainer with rounded fins.
Conditioning
The species feeds on worms, crustaceans and insects, so it is conditioned on small live and frozen foods. Tropical Fish Hobbyist recommends generous live-food feeding of plant-spawning killifish before spawning.
Breeding Setup
A small spawning tank with live plants or mops is used, with one male and several females per FishBase's polygamous note. FishBase gives 21-23 C, pH 6.5-7.2 and hardness up to about 10 dH for the species. Tropical Fish Hobbyist describes mops of dark nylon yarn placed in calm water.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Tropical Fish Hobbyist describes plant-spawners aligning alongside one another and depositing adhesive eggs on plant or mop fibres. Eggs can be handled a few hours after spawning because of their protective chorion.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs are stored in a tray of established water with daily water changes; no antifungal treatment is needed with regular changes. FishBase cites about 1.5 months of incubation for this species, within the two-to-six-week range Tropical Fish Hobbyist gives for plant-spawners. Newly hatched brine shrimp can be fed from the first day, with plant matter providing microorganisms for the smallest fry.
Common Challenges
FishBase notes the species is very difficult to maintain, so stable soft water and a steady supply of live foods are important. Synchronising hatching via the forced-hatch method described by Tropical Fish Hobbyist reduces fry size mismatch.