Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Lyretail Killifish
Aphyosemion australe (Rachow, 1921)
Also called Lyretail panchax, Golden lyretail, Golden panchax, Cape Lopez lyretail
From West-central Africa: coastal lowlands of Gabon around Cape Lopez near the Ogooue river mouth, with records from neighbouring Congo, Cameroon and Angola. Lives in swamps and small forest streams.123
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Males reach about 6 cm; females are slightly smaller
Looks how to spot one
Scaled, slender killifish with lyre-shaped tail
A slim, torpedo-shaped little fish. Males are brightly coloured, with a lyre-shaped tail whose upper and lower tips stretch out, plus long dorsal and anal fins. Females are smaller, rounder and plain brown or tan.13
Personality what they are like
Gentle and a little shy. It mixes well with other small, calm fish such as small tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids and peaceful catfish.1
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A calm fish rather than a restless swimmer, but it jumps readily, so the tank must be covered.1
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Needs a tight-fitting lid because it jumps. Soft, slightly acidic water suits it best, and fine-leaved plants give it somewhere to spawn.1
Home where they are happiest
Minimum tank base about 45 x 25 cm (around 28 litres). Temperature about 21-24 °C (FishBase; Seriously Fish gives a wider 21-32 °C), pH 5.5-7.0, soft water (1-12 dGH). FishBase suggests a 60 cm tank.12
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Micropredator. Small live or frozen foods such as daphnia and bloodworm suit it best; tank-bred fish usually accept good flake too.123
Company who they like around
Peaceful and community-friendly; it mixes well with other small, calm fish.1
The story where it all began
Arthur Rachow described it in 1921 from the Cape Lopez area of Gabon. A golden colour form appeared in the 1950s in an aquarist's tank, and it was among the first killifish to become popular with aquarists.13
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The popular gold form arose as a spontaneous mutation bred by a Finnish aquarist in 1952.3
- 2
Females can lay 10-20 eggs a day for around two weeks, sticking them to fine plants or spawning mops.1
- 3
Eggs hatch after roughly 14 days at about 26 °C.3
- 4
It is a non-seasonal killifish, so it lives in permanent water rather than drying pools.2
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed February 2009)2
- Taxonomy
- Family Nothobranchiidae; described by Rachow in 1921, originally as a variety of Haplochilus calliurus1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Lyretail Killifish. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Water changeAbout 25% of the waterevery week
- Water testevery week
- Glass cleanevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Lyretail Killifish?
Feed small amounts once or twice a day. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests daily feeding in small portions.1 Furry Diary plan
What does a Lyretail Killifish eat, and what should it never eat?
It is a micropredator that enjoys small live or frozen foods like daphnia and bloodworm; tank-bred fish often accept good flake too. Avoid any large or dry foods that could cause digestive issues, and always check with a vet for specific concerns.123
How much space does a Lyretail Killifish need?
A minimum tank base of about 45 x 25 cm (around 28 litres) is recommended, with FishBase suggesting a 60 cm tank. This gives your fish enough room to swim comfortably.12
What temperature, light or water does a Lyretail Killifish need?
Keep the water temperature between 21-24°C (or up to 32°C per Seriously Fish), pH 5.5-7.0, and soft water (1-12 dGH). Soft, slightly acidic water with fine-leaved plants suits it best, and a tight-fitting lid is essential as it jumps.12
How often should I clean a Lyretail Killifish's home?
Furry Diary's plan suggests a weekly water change of about 25%, along with weekly glass cleaning and water testing. Rinse the filter monthly in old tank water, never tap water. Furry Diary plan
Can a Lyretail Killifish live with others?
Yes, it is gentle and community-friendly, mixing well with other small, calm fish like small tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, and peaceful catfish. Always introduce new tank mates gradually.1
How long does a Lyretail Killifish live?
Lifespan varies depending on care and environment; for specific details, consult a good breeder or an exotic-pet vet.
Can I handle a Lyretail Killifish?
It is best not to handle this fish as it is delicate and can be stressed by handling. Use a net only when necessary, and always keep the tank covered to prevent jumping.1
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Seriously Fish: Aphyosemion australe (Golden Lyretail) seriouslyfish.comused for names, range, size, tank, water, diet, behaviour, dimorphism, strains, lifespan, breeding
- FishBase: Aphyosemion australe, Lyretail panchax fishbase.seused for author and year, distribution, length, environment, IUCN status
- Wikipedia: Aphyosemion australe en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, colour forms, gold-form history, hatching time
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.