Red-striped killifish (Aphyosemion striatum) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Red-striped killi, Red-striped lyretail
Family
Nothobranchiidae (African killifishes)
Origin
Coastal rainforest of southern Equatorial Guinea and north-western Gabon (Mitémele to lower Ogooué drainages), in permanent streams, pools and swamps.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
5 cm
Temperature
20–26°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Hardness
Soft to medium, 3–12 dGH
Minimum tank
41 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful

Care

A small, very peaceful killie from rainforest streams and one of the best starter species, being hardy, non-annual and relatively long-lived for a killifish. Keep a pair, or a trio of one male and two females, in a tank with a base of about 45 × 30 cm (around 41 litres). Give it a dark substrate, dense planting, some wood and floating plants to dim the light; a well-planted, shaded tank brings out the best colour and confidence. It is an accomplished jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential. Keep the water moderate and stable: about 20–26 °C, pH 6.5–7.5 and soft to medium hardness. FishBase quotes a cooler, narrower band (21–23 °C, pH 6–7), so there is no need to keep it warm. Males are larger and more colourful, with rows of red streaks along a blue-green body and longer tail, dorsal and anal fins; females are plainer and smaller. It belongs to the A. striatum group of similar-looking species, so buy from a known source and keep each strain separate. FishBase lists it as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Sources: Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/aphyosemion-striatum/); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Aphyosemion-striatum.html). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A micropredator. Feed small live or frozen foods such as Daphnia and bloodworm as the main part of the diet; most fish also accept a good-quality flake as a supplement.

Breeding

A non-annual spawner. Use a single pair or a trio (one male, two females). The female lays batches of about 20–30 eggs a day over roughly two weeks among plants, moss or a spawning mop, or in the substrate. Collect the eggs and either keep them in water, where they hatch in about 10–14 days, or store them in damp peat for about 18 days before wetting. The fry are tiny and need infusoria-type foods at first, moving on to newly hatched brine shrimp as they grow.

Compatibility and tank mates

Very peaceful and rather shy, so easily out-competed by lively fish. Good companions are small, calm species such as small tetras, small cyprinids, dwarf cichlids, Corydoras, small plecos and peaceful anabantoids, or keep it in a species tank. Avoid boisterous or large fish.

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

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