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Contents
Overview
The lyretail killifish (Aphyosemion australe), also called the Cape Lopez lyretail, is one of the most classic and beginner-friendly killies. Males have a chestnut-orange body sprinkled with red dots and stunning fins: the tail ends in two white-tipped points that form a lyre, and the dorsal and anal fins are edged in white and orange. A gold or orange variety is very popular. Females are brownish and plain.
It comes from shaded pools and streams along the coast of Gabon and nearby areas, with soft, acidic, leaf-littered water. Unlike annual killifish, it isn't seasonal and lives several years. It's a great first killi for anyone who wants a small, quiet tank built around it.
Care and tank setup
A trio (one male, two females) does well in a 10-gallon (40 L) tank that is heavily planted with subdued lighting. It prefers soft, slightly acidic water on the cool side for a tropical fish, and very gentle flow; a sponge filter is perfect.
- Dense plants, moss, floaters to dim the light, plus some leaf litter or driftwood.
- A tight lid is essential: it's a born jumper and escapes through any gap.
- Keep just one male in a small tank; males fight.
It's peaceful and a little shy. A species tank is ideal, or share it with small, calm fish that won't outcompete it for food, such as small rasboras, pygmy corydoras or otocinclus, plus adult shrimp. Avoid barbs and fin nippers, since its long fins are an easy target. A common mistake is a loose lid and a fish found on the floor.
Feeding
It's a carnivore that hunts insects and tiny invertebrates in the wild. Live or frozen foods are best: brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, grindal worms or microworms. Many fish learn to accept quality flakes or micro-pellets, but don't rely on dry food alone. Feed small amounts once or twice a day.
Breeding
It's a plant spawner: a pair lays a few sticky eggs daily in moss or a synthetic yarn mop. You can pick the eggs by hand and keep them in a shallow container of tank water, removing any that turn white. They hatch in about two weeks, and the fry take baby brine shrimp or microworms right away. It's a great killi to start breeding with.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Lyretail killifish. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Cherry barb Puntius titteya 16 gal (60 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Bronze cory Corydoras aeneus 21 gal (80 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Harlequin rasbora Trigonostigma heteromorpha 16 gal (60 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Neon tetra Paracheirodon innesi 16 gal (60 L) · 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) 
Common goldfish Carassius auratus 79 gal (300 L) · 50–75 °F (10–24 °C) 
Panda cory Corydoras panda 16 gal (60 L) · 68–77 °F (20–25 °C) 
Zebra danio Danio rerio 16 gal (60 L) · 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) 
Amano shrimp Caridina multidentata 11 gal (40 L) · 64–82 °F (18–28 °C) 
Cherry shrimp Neocaridina davidi 5 gal (20 L) · 64–81 °F (18–27 °C) 
Otocinclus catfish Otocinclus vestitus 16 gal (60 L) · 70–79 °F (21–26 °C) 
Celestial pearl danio Danio margaritatus 11 gal (40 L) · 68–77 °F (20–25 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Lyretail killifish, and why.
- Tiger barb: nips long fins
- Discus: incompatible temperatures
- Yellow lab cichlid: incompatible temperatures, incompatible pH
- Clown loach: incompatible temperatures, one may eat the other due to size
- Molly: incompatible temperatures, incompatible pH
- Oscar: one may eat the other due to size, incompatible temperaments
- Ram cichlid: incompatible temperatures
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Lyretail killifish healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Lyretail killifish need?
At least about 40 liters for a group of at least 3 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Lyretail killifish need?
Between 21 and 25 °C, with a pH of 5.5 to 7.
What fish can live with the Lyretail killifish?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Bristlenose pleco, Cherry barb, Bronze cory, Harlequin rasbora and Neon tetra. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Lyretail killifish be kept with shrimp?
Yes: it usually won’t eat adult shrimp, though some shrimplets may get picked off. A tank with plenty of moss gives the babies cover.
