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Care guide · Freshwater · fish

Blue lyretail

Fundulopanchax gardneri

Male blue lyretail (Fundulopanchax gardneri)
Male Fundulopanchax gardneri. Photo: Violaine2, CC BY-SA 3.0. Photo: Violaine2 (France, Wikimedia Commons) · Source · CC BY-SA 3.0Proportional resize and JPEG compression only; no crop or colour edit. CC BY-SA 3.0.

The blue lyretail (Fundulopanchax gardneri) is a colourful West African killifish; males are often blue with red spots. Colour and body pattern vary between localities and captive lines. Keep locality codes separate and ask about provenance when buying. This guide covers the species in general and draws on specialist sources. The practical priorities are stable water, cover, varied small foods and a completely secure lid: this fish is an accomplished jumper. It also separates general care guidance from locality-specific or selectively bred forms, so a colour label is not treated as taxonomic evidence.

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At a glance

Temperature
22–24 °C
pH
6.5
GH
5–7 °dGH
Aquarium length
At least 60 cm
Adult size
Up to 5.5 cm
Group size
At least 2 individuals
Temperament
May jump, Territorial

About this species

Fundulopanchax gardneri (Boulenger, 1911) belongs to Nothobranchiidae. It occurs in the Cross River region of Nigeria and Cameroon and parts of Nigeria’s Benue drainage. Aquarium sources describe several geographic forms and a long history of alternative names; domestic gold and albino strains are also kept. Males are usually larger and more colourful, with extended fins; females tend to be smaller and browner. A colour form alone does not establish a subspecies or locality. Record the scientific name and, for wild-type fish, the collection code. Avoid mixing lines if you want their identity to remain traceable.

Natural habitat

The species is found in creeks, swamps, streams and pools in forested and highland savannah areas of Nigeria and Cameroon. Some waters may fall substantially for a time, but this is not an obligately annual killifish: eggs can hatch underwater and some may also withstand a drier interval. This natural flexibility is not a reason to let a home aquarium dry out deliberately. In captivity, plant cover and subdued light are practical. Habitat descriptions provide context, not an exact aquarium water recipe.

Aquarium and layout

FishBase gives a minimum aquarium length of 60 cm; a dependable universal minimum volume is not established, so no exact litre figure is supplied here. Choose a spacious, calm setup with plants, wood and visual cover. Males may be aggressive toward one another and may pursue females persistently. Seriously Fish discusses pair keeping; if maintaining a harem, one male with two or three females may spread attention, but this needs sufficient space and observation. Seal every gap around cables, filters and hoses: blue lyretails are strong jumpers. A sponge filter or gentle flow helps avoid sucking in eggs and fry.

Water conditions

As a practical routine range, use 22–24°C, pH around 6.5 and GH 5–7 dGH, drawing on AquaInfo and FishBase’s natural-water records. Seriously Fish gives broader tolerances of 20–26°C, pH 6.0–7.5 and GH 1–10; Killi Club de France lists 24–25°C. Population, acclimation and breeding context may differ. Do not make rapid corrections simply to chase a number: test the existing water, adjust gradually and keep temperature and pH stable. Do not add salt, peat or pH products without a specific reason and a way to measure the result.

Behaviour and group size

This killifish is not automatically suitable for a busy community aquarium. Seriously Fish warns that males may fight and recommends adequate refuges; Killi Club de France also notes male aggression toward females. A species aquarium is a straightforward option. If you consider tankmates, assess adult size, activity, mouth size, water needs and available space individually; the broad label “small fish” does not prove a safe pairing. Avoid fish that prey on eggs or fry, dominant feeders and species that the killifish itself might eat. After introductions, check that each fish can feed undisturbed and separate them if needed.

Feeding

Fundulopanchax gardneri is a micropredator that takes small crustaceans, worms, insect larvae and other zooplankton. Seriously Fish reports that dried foods are often accepted, while recommending regular small live or frozen prey such as Artemia, Daphnia and mosquito larvae. AquaInfo also names mosquito larvae and Daphnia. Use a complete food if the fish eat it well and vary it with suitable live or frozen foods. Dried Daphnia is supplementary, not a complete staple. Feed small portions, observe the females as well, and remove leftovers to protect water quality in a smaller killifish aquarium.

Breeding

Eggs are laid among plants, mosses or spawning mops. This is not a strict annual killifish: depending on population and conditions, eggs may develop underwater, while some can also tolerate a drier incubation period. Adults may eat eggs; collect them daily if you intend to raise fry. Sources describe several approaches, so no single incubation method is mandatory. Newly hatched fry need very fine food at first and may later take Artemia nauplii. Keep locality-coded and other breeding lines separate; crossing geographic forms makes the origin of offspring unclear. Breed only when space, food and a responsible rehoming plan are ready.

Sources & review

This care guide draws on several specialist sources and was last checked on .

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