The Genus Aphyosemion

The Genus Aphyosemion

Aphyosemion australe "gold"

Genus Aphyosemion contains 90 species according to the list of valid names of killifish species by Ken Lazara. Some species are among the most popular Killifish species. Good example on that is A. australe that is probably most commonly kept Killifish.

Aphiosemions live in rain forest or savanna waters in tropical West and Central Africa. They inhabit the still water ponds or slowly flowing waters. Some of most striking Killi species belong to this genus.

Most of species do not exceed length of 5-6 cm.

So far I have kept just two forms of Aphyosemion australe and Aphyosemion bitaeniatum "Agome Klozou" which belongs to the subgenus Chromaphyosemion. This subgenus is reputed as genus by some authors.

Aphyosemion australe is relatively easy to maintain and breed. I keep these fish in soft water and with 5 ml of salt per 10 liter of water.

They accept all kind of food, though live food is preferred.

Breeding is described at non-annual breeding page.

Through the years of keeping A. australe gold form, I conclude that I get much better sex ratio if keep and breed these fish in soft and slightly acid water. If kept and bred in harder water the most of the fry become females.

Last year I obtain some wild caught A. australe. I have kept and breed these fish, but despite all my efforts I got much more females than males.

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