Cape Lopez Lyretail

Cape Lopez Lyretail (Aphyosemion australe)

The Cape Lopez Lyretail, also known as Lyretail Killifish, Lyretail Panchax, is a stunning killifish known for its vibrant colors and unique lyre-shaped tail. These fish exhibit an array of hues, including blue, yellow, and red, with males being more colorful than females.

They have a peaceful temperament and are well-suited for a community tank with similarly-sized, non-aggressive tankmates. Cape Lopez Lyretails grow to about 2.5 inches in size and do best in small groups, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:2 or 1:3 to minimize aggression.

Compatible tank mates include pencilfish, Corydoras catfish, and Sparkling or Croaking Gouramis, which all thrive in similar soft water conditions.

These fish are omnivores, enjoying a varied diet of live, frozen, and freeze-dried foods, such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and tubifex worms, as well as high-quality flakes or pellets. Cape Lopez Lyretails are shy at feeding times, so ensure tankmates are not too boisterous and check that your killifish are receiving their fair share of the food.

Tank habitat and care for Cape Lopez Lyretails should include a well-planted aquarium, ideally with a dark substrate to enhance their colors. Use darker substrate in the tank, along with dense plantings, caves, driftwood, and pieces of wood for hiding and cover. Floating plants can be added to diffuse light further, provide cover, and create a more natural environment.

Water movement within the aquarium should be gentle to mimic the slow-moving waters that these fish inhabit in the wild. Efficient filtration is crucial, but water movement should be gentle. Regular, small water changes are important to maintain water quality.

A minimum 10-gallon aquarium is recommended, with an ideal community tank size of 20 gallons or more. Keep the water parameters stable, with a pH of 6.0-7.5, hardness between 1-10 dGH, and a temperature range of 72-77°F (22-25°C).

A secure, tight-fitting cover is necessary, as these fish are skilled jumpers.