KILLIFISH – LYRETAIL
Aphyosemion australe

$24.99

The Lyretail Killifish, or Killi for short, is a bright little fish that brings undeniable beauty to the freshwater nano aquarium. Sometimes also called the Australe Killi, it’s ntive to slow-moving streams in Gabon and Congo of Africa. Many if not all of the Lyretail killis available within the aquarium trade are commercially produced given their ease of spawning. These aquacultured specimens are somewhat hardier than their wild counterparts. The Lyretail killi has an elongated and slender body, perfect for the top level of the aquarium in which it is almost exclusively found. Males are bright red-orange with some spots and dashes, in addition to their very elongated dorsal, anal and caudal fins. Females are more round in shape at the belly with subdued coloration and no elaborate fins. The Lyretail killi does best as a male only, male-female pair, or even a male with multiple females. Keeping more than one male per aquarium should be avoided. An adult Lyretail killi can reach a size of approximately 2″ to 2.5″.

Description

Care Level: Moderate

Temperament: Peaceful

Live Plant Safe: Yes

General Description: The Lyretail Killifish, or Killi for short, is a bright little fish that brings undeniable beauty to the freshwater nano aquarium. Sometimes also called the Australe Killi, it’s native to slow-moving streams in Gabon and Congo of Africa. Many if not all of the Lyretail killis available within the aquarium trade are commercially produced given their ease of spawning. These aquacultured specimens are somewhat hardier than their wild counterparts. The Lyretail killi has an elongated and slender body, perfect for the top level of the aquarium in which it is almost exclusively found. Males are bright red-orange with some spots and dashes, in addition to their very elongated dorsal, anal and caudal fins. Females are more round in shape at the belly with subdued coloration and no elaborate fins. The Lyretail killi does best as a male only, male-female pair, or even a male with multiple females. Keeping more than one male per aquarium should be avoided. An adult Lyretail killi can reach a size of approximately 2″ to 2.5″.

Diet Requirements: In the wild Lyretail killifish are micropredators on various tiny invertebrates and zooplankton. A diet made up of various high quality frozen foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworms, and rotifers are ideal in addition to micro floating pellet foods. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish.

Care Requirements: An extremely established minimum 10 gallon aquarium is ideal for a pair of Lyretail killifish. A tight fitting lid is highly suggested because some individuals are known to jump. Killifish are very intolerable of nitrite or ammonia spikes, and will not endure deteriorating water parameters. These fish should not be introduced into a biologically immature aquarium. Weekly water changes are encouraged to keep water parameters pristine (Nitrates < 15 ppm). Given the environments in which they come from, Lyretail killifish like gentle to almost stagnant water flow. An ideal set-up for a Lyretail killi would be a planted aquarium, with some floating plants to dim the lighting. Given their small size and specialized care requirements, Lyretail killifish may not be suitable for the typical community aquariums that have overly rambunctious or competitive species. Mix Lyretail killis with other peaceful, nano shoaling tetra and rasbora species for example. Bottom dwelling species will be completely ignored. Extra care should be taken acclimating Lyretail killifish. Recommended water conditions, 74-82° F, KH 4-8, pH 5.0-7.0.

Purchase Size: Medium: 3/4” to 1”

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.

Shipping & Delivery

Dry goods orders are shipped via US Postal Service or UPS to the address provided at checkout based on the selection made in your website shopping cart. Product is carefully packed to help prevent any damage during shipping. Once processed you will receive a shipment notification via email with tracking number, and delivery notification. Please allow 48 hours for processing after your order is placed.

Perishable items (i.e. live plants, refrigerated/frozen foods) are shipped via US Postal Service 2-3 day to the address provided at checkout for a $25.00 flat rate charge. Items are packed with secure packing material and heat, cold, or Cryo packs as needed to maintain safe temperatures during transit. If one or more perishable items are in the shopping cart at checkout the $25.00 perishable shipping charge will automatically appear and need to be selected. Once processed you will receive a shipment notification via email with tracking number. Please allow 48 hours for processing after your order is placed.

Livestock (i.e. fish, invertebrates, coral) are shipped via UPS Overnight to the address provided at checkout for a $55.00 flat rate charge. Livestock is packed in insulated styrofoam boxes with secure packing material and heat, cold, or Cryo packs as needed to maintain safe temperatures during transit. If one or more livestock items are in the shopping cart at checkout the $55.00 livestock shipping charge will automatically appear and need to be selected. Livestock is shipped Monday through Wednesday ONLY (no weekend delivery is available) weather permitting, and we reserve the right to delay shipping until conditions are appropriate for safe arrival. Once your order is placed we will contact you to arrange the best shipping date based on these criteria. Someone must be available to receive the livestock order on the first delivery attempt. Once processed you will receive a shipment notification via email with tracking number. Please allow 48 hours for processing after your order is placed.

For mixed dry goods/perishable & livestock orders items will be shipped via their corresponding shipping methods outlined above. Dry goods will be shipped via US Postal Service or UPS based on your selection and checkout, while livestock will ship via UPS Overnight for a $55.00 flat rate charge. You will receive separate notifications and tracking numbers for the dry goods and livestock. Please note due to different carriers and shipping methods dry goods and livestock may arrive on different days.