Cape Lopez Lyretail Killifish (Aphyosemion australe) is an intermediate-level freshwater fish that needs at least 10 gallons and 68-75°F. A small, colorful killifish with a lyre-shaped tail and a gold, red-spotted body. It does best in a quiet, softer-water planted tank with a lid, and it prefers live or frozen foods to dry food.
Care facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Aphyosemion australe |
|---|---|
| Family | Nothobranchiidae |
| Origin | Gabon and nearby coastal West Africa |
| Adult size | 2-2.5 in |
| Minimum tank | 10 gallons |
| Temperature | 68-75°F |
| pH | 6.0-7.0 |
| Temperament | Peaceful, males squabble |
| Social behavior | Trio or small group, one male with females |
| Swim level | Upper |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Diet | Carnivore: baby brine shrimp, daphnia, small frozen foods, fine pellets |
| Typical lifespan | 3-4 years |
Quick tips
- Use a tight lid; killifish jump.
- Keep one male with two or three females.
- Keep the water cooler and soft, with plants and floating cover.
San Diego water
Prefers softer, more acidic water than San Diego's tap (pH roughly 7.6-8.6, hard). Most keepers blend tap with RO/DI water or use a remineralized RO/DI supply. Learn the numbers in our San Diego tap water guide.
Before you buy
Make sure your tank is cycled (how to cycle a tank), check your numbers with the water testing guide, and use the compatibility guide to check tankmates. These are general ranges; individual fish and local water vary.
Find it at Pet Zone
Pet Zone Tropical Fish is a San Diego aquarium store with two locations. Stock changes daily, so call ahead if you are after a specific species or plant. Shop online at petzonesd.com.
4160 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 987-0309
Open daily, 10am-6pm
Aquascaping, planted tanks
4266 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105
(619) 283-1812
Closed Monday; Tue-Fri 10:30am-6pm, Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm
Monster fish, koi