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Care guide · Freshwater · fish

Cape Lopez lyretail

Aphyosemion australe

Cape Lopez lyretail (Aphyosemion australe)
Cape Lopez lyretail, wild type, male. Photo: Violaine2, CC BY 3.0. Photo: Violaine2 (Wikimedia Commons) · Source · CC BY 3.0Proportional resize/compression only; no crop or colour edit. Distributed under CC BY 3.0.

The Cape Lopez lyretail (Aphyosemion australe) is a small, colourful egg-laying killifish from coastal Gabon and Congo. Males often show a striking lyre-shaped tail and red spotting, while females are usually more subdued. This species is peaceful but shy, and may struggle to reach food with boisterous tankmates. A tightly fitting lid is essential because Cape Lopez lyretails can jump through small openings. Sources give different minimum aquarium recommendations, so this guide takes the cautious approach of recommending a tank at least 60 cm long and does not state a minimum volume. Daily care centres on stable, soft to moderately soft conditions, cover and small varied foods. Java moss can provide an egg-laying site. Read on for identification, safe aquarium setup, feeding and responsible breeding guidance.

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At a glance

Temperature
22–24 °C
pH
6.0–6.5
GH
5–7 °dGH
Aquarium length
At least 60 cm
Adult size
Up to 6 cm
Group size
At least 2 individuals
Temperament
May jump

About this species

Aphyosemion australe was described by Rachow in 1921 and belongs to Nothobranchiidae. Adults reach about 6 cm total length. Males are generally more colourful, with extensions to the tail, dorsal and anal fins. Females are usually smaller, plainer and rounder in the belly. Gold, orange and chocolate colour forms occur in the aquarium trade; they remain forms of the same species. If you keep wild or locality-labelled lines, retain their labels and do not mix strains casually. This is not an annual killifish: it inhabits permanent waters. The common name Cape Lopez refers to the region associated with the original species description. Buy fish with clear identification and never release aquarium animals into natural waters.

Natural habitat

The species occurs in lowland coastal areas of Gabon and neighbouring parts of Congo; FishBase also lists Angola and Cameroon within its distribution. It inhabits permanent swamps and small, slow-flowing streams. The Killi Club de France describes shallow, slow waters with dense bank vegetation that moderates light and heat. This helps explain its preference for cover and subdued light, but is not an exact blueprint for every aquarium. In nature, eggs are deposited among plants or other fine structures. Use habitat information as context and do not add peat or other water-altering materials automatically: test your source water and prioritise stability. Conditions vary between sites and seasons even within this range. Use measured aquarium values and adjust the setup gradually rather than trying to reproduce one wild location exactly.

Aquarium and layout

For a pair or small group, choose a tank at least 60 cm long as a cautious option; FishBase lists that length, while Seriously Fish gives a smaller base size for a pair or trio. Because these recommendations differ, this guide does not give a minimum volume. Use a dark substrate, plants and quiet refuges. Floating plants can soften incoming light and provide cover near the surface. Keep flow gentle and avoid tankmates that outcompete the killifish at feeding time. Fit the lid securely, including gaps around cables and hoses. This fish is known to jump, and even a narrow opening can become an escape route.

Water conditions

Aim for stable conditions around 22–24°C, pH 6.0–6.5 and GH 5–7 dH. These are conservative shared values from the species sources, not abrupt adjustment targets. Acclimate new fish gradually and avoid rapid swings. Seriously Fish lists wider tolerance ranges than AquaInfo and the natural values in FishBase, so this guide uses the narrower range. Test the aquarium water before buying. There is no need to add peat, salt or other products just because some killifish setups use them.

Behaviour and group size

Cape Lopez lyretails are peaceful but shy. Seriously Fish notes that faster or pushier fish can outcompete them for food. Choose only calm tankmates with compatible water needs and enough space; overlapping water values alone do not prove compatibility. Keep them as a pair or carefully composed small group, with plants and quiet areas. After introduction, check that each fish can feed and behaves normally. This guide does not label a particular fish pairing as guaranteed compatible.

Feeding

Offer small portions of varied food. Seriously Fish lists small Daphnia and mosquito larvae as preferred foods and reports that many captive-bred fish accept good-quality flakes. A suitable complete flake can therefore be part of the diet, but confirm that the fish actually eats it. Small live or frozen prey provides variety. Dried Daphnia may be offered as a supplement, preferably moistened. Remove leftovers and avoid overfeeding; the small fish needs a calm feeding opportunity without strong competition.

Breeding

Aphyosemion australe lays eggs among fine-leaved plants or in a spawning mop. Seriously Fish explicitly lists Java moss as a possible spawning substrate. For planned breeding, adults are often conditioned well before being moved temporarily to a separate tank. The source describes daily egg laying and several methods. Remove eggs carefully if you intend to raise fry; adults may eat some. Eggs need regular observation because incubation conditions matter. Feed newly free-swimming fry appropriately sized food, including Artemia nauplii. Breed only when you have space for the offspring and a responsible rehoming plan.

Sources & review

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

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