Nigerian form

Overview

Population from southwestern Nigeria with a characteristic blue-green body tone and vivid red spots. The most frequently encountered form in the aquarium trade.

Appearance

Shared with the species: Plumed Lyretail

Males reach up to 6 cm in length. The body is blue-violet to blue-green with numerous red spots across the body and on the dorsal and caudal fins. A characteristic red stripe runs along the lower lobe of the caudal fin and the anal fin. The hallmark of this species is the elongated filamentous fin rays that give the fish an exceptionally ornamental appearance. Females are smaller and modestly coloured — brownish with rounded fins lacking filamentous extensions.

Care

Shared with the species: Plumed Lyretail

A 40–60 litre tank with a peat or fine-sand substrate is recommended. Water parameters: pH 5.5–6.8, hardness 1–6 dGH, temperature 20–24°C (68–75°F). Gentle filtration — a sponge filter or slow-flow system — is essential. The tank should be densely planted with fine-leaved plants and have subdued lighting to minimise stress. Regular water changes of 20–25% weekly are required. A secure lid is a must, as the fish are prone to jumping.

Feeding

Shared with the species: Plumed Lyretail

Feeds on live and frozen foods — bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, tubifex, and artemia nauplii. Acclimatisation to dry foods is possible with patience but live food is always preferred. Feed in small portions twice daily, avoiding overfeeding. A varied diet is necessary to maintain health, vibrant colouration, and successful reproduction.

Compatibility

Shared with the species: Plumed Lyretail

A peaceful, shy species best suited to a species-only tank. If kept in a community, only small, calm fish of similar size and temperament are appropriate. Incompatible with active, boisterous, or large fish that cause stress. Coexists well with dwarf shrimp and other small, peaceful nano tank inhabitants.

Breeding

Shared with the species: Plumed Lyretail

A substrate-spawning killifish that buries its eggs in peat or soft substrate. For breeding, use a peat substrate or dedicated spawning containers with moist peat. Incubation takes 4–8 weeks with the peat stored in a slightly moist condition. Fry hatch small and accept infusoria and brine shrimp nauplii as first foods. Growth is somewhat slower than in surface-spawning aphyosemions.

Fun facts

Shared with the species: Plumed Lyretail

The elongated fin filaments give this fish exceptional ornamental appeal, and the name filamentosum derives from the Latin word for 'thread'. As an annual fish, A. filamentosum survives seasonal drought in the wild as buried eggs in drying substrate. The species has been found in several geographically isolated populations that form chromosomal races with different chromosome numbers.