加蓬旗鮰 · Gabon Lyretail

Overview

Aphyosemion gabunense, the Gabon lyretail, is a peaceful, somewhat shy nonannual killifish from permanent waters. It is a reasonable introduction to killifish care, provided escape prevention, feeding competition, and the tiny first foods needed by fry receive attention.

Distribution & habitat

It was described near Lambaréné in western Gabon and is thought restricted to the lower Ogooué basin, including the Ngounie tributary system. Swamps, small streams, and pools form its habitat.

Aquarium setup

A pair or trio can use a footprint of about 45 × 25 cm or more. Dark substrate, dense patches of plants, and wood provide cover. Floating vegetation further softens the light. Fit the lid tightly because these fish are capable jumpers.

Diet & feeding

Small live or frozen foods such as Daphnia and bloodworms are preferred, while quality flakes are often accepted. Ensure that more energetic companions do not prevent the lyretails from eating adequately.

Behaviour & compatibility

This gentle, shy fish is easily outcompeted. Possible companions include small peaceful characins, rasboras, appropriate dwarf cichlids, Corydoras, and small loricariids, subject to matching water needs and activity levels.

Sexual dimorphism

Males have much stronger coloration and longer dorsal, caudal, and anal fins than females.

Breeding

Prepare a dim breeding aquarium with gentle sponge filtration to prevent stagnation and slightly acidic water around pH 6.8–7.0. Condition males and females separately on varied live and frozen foods before selecting a well-conditioned pair. Trios can also breed, but the extra fish may eat eggs, reducing the number collected.

Eggs can be placed in bottom material or vegetation. Fine plants, spawning mops, or peat moss can serve as the medium; mops over a bare base simplify maintenance and collection. Around 10–20 eggs may be deposited each day. Separate the parents for recovery after about a week, rather than allowing prolonged spawning to exhaust the female. Leaving eggs with the parents is possible, but eggs and fry may be eaten.

Collected eggs can be incubated in water or on damp peat moss in a small container. Keep them dark and remove moldy eggs promptly. Water incubation generally takes 18–22 days. With damp incubation, adding water after roughly 14 days can stimulate hatching. Label each container with species, dates, and egg numbers.

The tiny fry need infusoria initially. After about two days they can take Artemia nauplii or microworms; larger and frozen foods can be introduced progressively after roughly two weeks. Keep the water shallow at first and increase its depth as they grow. Development is fairly slow. Feed small portions twice daily and make small water changes every two or three days, paying particular attention to water quality and susceptibility to velvet disease.