Twostripe lyretail (Aphyosemion bivittatum) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Twostripe lyretail, Two-banded lyretail, Two-striped killi, Two-banded killi, Red lyretail, Redlined lyretail
Family
Nothobranchiidae (African killifishes)
Origin
Coastal rainforest of south-west Cameroon and south-east Nigeria, around the Ndian River and in Korup and Cross River national parks, in small forest brooks.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
5 cm
Temperature
22–24°C
pH
6–6.5
Hardness
Very soft to soft, 1–6 dGH
Minimum tank
41 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful

Care

A small lyretail killifish from the coastal rainforest along the Cameroon–Nigeria border, where it lives in small forest brooks. It reaches about 5 cm. Seriously Fish has only a short profile for it, without care figures, and FishBase describes it as difficult to keep in the aquarium, so it is best for keepers who already have some experience with Aphyosemion. It is sometimes listed under the old subgenus name Chromaphyosemion. Keep a pair or a trio of one male and two females, ideally in a species tank. For related lyretails such as A. striatum, Seriously Fish suggests a tank with a base of at least 45 × 30 cm (about 41 litres). Use a dark substrate, plenty of plants, some wood and floating plants to soften the light, and gentle, air-driven sponge filtration. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as lyretails are good jumpers. FishBase gives 22–24 °C, a pH of about 6–6.5 and very soft water (1–6 dGH). Keep the temperature on the cool side for a tropical fish and the water clean, with small, regular partial changes rather than large swings. Males are the colourful sex: Wikipedia describes a body with two dark bands of red spots along each side, bluish flanks, and green fins spotted with red and tipped yellow; their fins are taller and more pointed than those of the browner females. Several closely related two-striped species look very similar, and this fish is usually traded by collection locality. Keep populations separate, label them with their locality code and never mix them. FishBase and Wikipedia list the species as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Fish in the hobby are mostly captive bred by killifish keepers and are usually sold as adults or as eggs. Sources: Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/aphyosemion-bivittatum/); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Aphyosemion-bivittatum.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphyosemionbivittatum). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A small predator of insects and other invertebrates. Feed mainly small live and frozen foods such as Daphnia, bloodworm, brine shrimp and fruit flies; some fish will also take a good flake or small granule once settled.

Breeding

A non-annual plant spawner. Condition a pair or trio on live foods and provide a spawning mop or a clump of fine-leaved plants or moss; the fish lay a few eggs on it every day. The sources give no figures for this species; for related lyretails Seriously Fish describes eggs hatching in about 10–14 days in shallow water (a drop of methylene blue helps prevent fungus) or in about 18 days stored on damp peat in the dark. Pick the eggs off daily or move the mop to a separate container. Feed fry infusoria or similar very fine food first, then newly hatched brine shrimp.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful but shy and easily outcompeted, so a species tank is best. If you want company, choose a few small, calm fish that like the same soft, cool-tropical water, such as small tetras or pencilfish. Males may squabble, so keep only one male in a small tank, and do not mix it with similar-looking Aphyosemion.

Last updated 4 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers can only take PayPal or cash on collection. Business sellers can take PayPal or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have 50 sales, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: [email protected].