Aphyosemion australe

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Cape Lopez Lyretail
Cape Lopez Lyretail Gold
Species	Aphyosemion australe
Difficulty	Moderate
Min. Tank Size	18.927 liters 18,927.059 mL 5 US Gallons (18.9L)
Size	2.362 in 5-6 cm (2-2.4")
pH	5.5 - 6.5
Temp.	295.15 K 71.6 °F 531.27 °R 298.15 K 77 °F 536.67 °R22 -25 °C (71.6-77°F)
Water Hardness	5-12
Stocking Ratio	1:1 M:F
Availability	Uncommon
Diet	Omnivore Pellet Foods Flake Foods Live Foods
Life Span	3-5 years

[edit] Alternative names

Cape Lopez Lyretail, Lyretail Panchax

[edit] Other Scientific Names

Haplochilus calliurus, Haplochilus calliurus var. australe, Panchax australe, Panchax polychromus

[edit] Sexing

Males are larger with more vibrant colours and longer finnage. The tail, back and anal fin taper to a point in the males, while the females have rounded fins.

[edit] Habitat

West Africa. In shallow flooded area in the rainforest.

[edit] Tank compatibility

This fish is best kept in male/female pairs, and in a species tank, but will be peaceful to other similar sized peaceful community fish.

[edit] Diet

Will accept most foods including pellet and flake but prefers live/frozen foods such as bloodworm, tubifex and brine shrimp.

[edit] Feeding regime

Feed once or twice a day.

[edit] Environment Specifics

This fish do best in acidic peat-filtered water with dense planting. A single pair can be kept in a relatively small species tank of around 5-6 US gallons. The need plenty of hiding places, preferably provided by planting and a dark substrate is best. Provide floating plants also.

[edit] Behaviour

Will cohabit well with other similar-sized fish and is generally peaceful as long as it's kept as a pair. The male of this species is not always friendly to one another.

[edit] Identification

A slender elongated fish with elaborate fins. The tips of the anal, caudal, and dorsal fins are elongated and pointed. The outer rays of the caudal fin form a 'lyre-tail' shape. The background body colouration of males is brownish-yellow to brownish orange with numerous red spots. The fins are orange with a broad yellow and red border and the tips of the fins are white. The females are brown in colour with a scattering of red spots. There are selective-bred variations now available.

[edit] Pictures

Chocolate A. australe

[edit] External links

• Fishbase
• Mongabay
• Killi.co.uk
• Seriously Fish