Amiet's Lyretail Killifish (Fundulopanchax amieti)

Amiet's Lyretail Killifish (Fundulopanchax amieti) is a colourful West African killifish for aquarists who enjoy quiet planted tanks, careful feeding and species-specific behaviour. This listing is for the Edea-Yaounde locality line, often written with the collection reference C 89-31, so the name is more precise than a generic lyretail killifish label.

The useful search terms are already in the name: Amiet's Lyretail Killifish, Fundulopanchax amieti, Edea-Yaounde killifish and planted aquarium killifish.

Why Choose Amiet's Lyretail Killifish?

Amiet's Lyretail is admired for the contrast between the male's colour, the lyre-shaped tail and the more subtle patterning of the female. In the right aquarium it is active without being frantic: it explores plant cover, pauses under floating shade and feeds best when food is small enough to be taken confidently from the surface or mid-water.

The species comes from Cameroon in the Lower Sanaga system, where published references describe rainforest brooks and swampy margins rather than open, fast community-tank water. That background matters in the aquarium. A peaceful, covered, mature setup will usually show the fish better than a bright, busy tank full of boisterous feeders.

Quick Care Snapshot

Common name	Amiet's Lyretail Killifish
Scientific name	Fundulopanchax amieti
Locality / line	Edea-Yaounde, often associated with C 89-31
Adult size	Usually around 6-7 cm, with males reported to about 7 cm total length
Best aquarium style	Covered planted aquarium with floating cover, gentle flow and shaded areas
Minimum aquarium	60 litres or larger for a pair or trio; more space for extra males
Temperature	22-25 C for a stable display; avoid sudden swings and overheating
pH guide	Slightly acidic to neutral water is ideal; FishBase records a natural pH range around 5.8-7.2
Temperament	Peaceful with calm fish, but males may spar and shy fish can be outcompeted
Diet	Small carnivorous foods: fine frozen foods, live foods and quality micro pellets once accepted
Care level	Intermediate, mainly because the tank must be covered, calm and consistently maintained

Tank Setup

Set this killifish up as if you are designing a calm observation tank rather than a high-energy community display. Use fine-leaved plants, moss, floating plants or shaded hardscape so the fish can break line of sight. A dark background and restrained lighting help the colours read more clearly and also stop the fish feeling constantly exposed.

A tight lid is not optional. Killifish are excellent jumpers and small gaps around filter pipes or feeding holes can become escape routes. Cover those gaps before the fish arrives, then keep maintenance calm and predictable. Sudden netting, uncovered buckets and open lids during feeding are the moments when accidents usually happen.

Tank feature	Recommended approach	Why it helps
Lid	Fully covered aquarium with pipe gaps closed	Prevents jumping and keeps the fish secure during feeding
Plants	Java moss, fine stems, floating plants or dense corners	Gives females and quieter fish retreat space
Flow	Gentle filtration, no harsh blasting across the tank	Matches the quiet edge habitat these fish prefer in aquaria
Lighting	Moderate lighting softened by floating cover	Reduces stress and improves colour display
Maintenance	Small regular water changes with stable temperature	Supports long-term health without shocking a small fish

Water Parameters

Fundulopanchax amieti is often more forgiving than its delicate appearance suggests, but it still rewards stability. Published aquarium and species references place it in freshwater with slightly acidic to neutral conditions, and keeper reports commonly describe successful maintenance around the low-to-mid twenties Celsius.

Do not chase exact numbers every day. Instead, keep the water clean, mature and consistent. If your tap water is extreme, adjust slowly and avoid sudden swings. A tank that has been running for a while, with plants and steady filtration, is a better home than a brand-new aquarium with perfect numbers on paper.

Parameter	Target range	Notes
Temperature	22-25 C	Short periods a little outside this range are less dangerous than rapid changes
pH	About 6.0-7.2	Soft to neutral water suits the species well
Hardness	Soft to moderate	Keep stable; avoid aggressive mineral swings
Nitrate	Keep low with regular maintenance	Small carnivorous fish do best in clean mature water
Flow	Gentle	Surface movement is useful, but avoid strong current

Feeding

Amiet's Lyretail is a small carnivorous killifish, so tiny meaty foods are the main route to good condition. Offer fine frozen foods such as cyclops, daphnia, mosquito larvae or finely sized bloodworm where appropriate. Live foods are useful for conditioning, but they should come from clean sources and be sized so the fish can take them easily.

Many killifish will learn prepared foods, but do not rely on large flakes being eaten properly. Fine granules or micro pellets are easier to portion and less likely to be spat out. Feed small amounts, watch the fish eat, then stop before food disappears into plants and spoils the water.

Food type	Use	Feeding note
Fine frozen foods	Daily or rotating staple	Thaw and offer small portions
Live foods	Conditioning and enrichment	Excellent for colour and spawning condition when cleanly sourced
Micro pellets	Convenient backup or mixed diet	Introduce gradually and remove uneaten food
Large flakes	Occasional only if accepted	Crush finely; many killifish ignore oversized pieces

Behaviour and Tank Mates

This species is best viewed as a peaceful specialist fish, not a generic community filler. It can live with calm tank mates of similar size, but it should not be mixed with fin nippers, fast barbs, pushy cichlids or fish that dominate every feeding. If the tank is too busy, the killifish may hide, lose colour and miss food.

A species aquarium is often the cleanest choice, especially if you want to observe pairs, trios or breeding behaviour. If you do choose tank mates, pick quiet fish that share similar water and temperature needs. Small, gentle surface or mid-water species can work, but always leave enough cover so the killifish can retreat.

Combination	Suitability	Reason
Pair or trio of Amiet's Lyretail	Excellent	Lets you focus the tank around the species
Calm small community fish	Possible	Works only when food competition and fin nipping are controlled
Fast barbs or boisterous livebearers	Avoid	Too much movement and feeding pressure
Large predatory fish	Avoid	The killifish is small enough to be intimidated or eaten
Multiple males in a small tank	Use caution	Males may display and spar; extra space and cover matter

Pair and Trio Keeping

This listing is tagged for pair-style keeping because Amiet's Lyretail is normally most rewarding when you can watch male and female behaviour together. A pair can work in a quiet, planted tank. A trio with one male and two females can spread attention and reduce pressure, provided the aquarium has enough cover.

When adding the fish, keep lights low and let them settle before heavy feeding. Look for a male claiming visible space while females use plant cover freely. If one fish is being trapped in a corner, add more visual barriers or separate the group before stress becomes a health issue.

Breeding Notes

Fundulopanchax amieti is a bottom-spawning, non-seasonal killifish in FishBase records, and keeper reports often use spawning mops, moss or peat-style substrates. The eggs are not the reason most buyers choose this fish, but breeding behaviour is one of the joys of keeping it well.

If you want to breed them, prepare a separate plan instead of leaving everything to chance in a display tank. Offer clean live foods, add spawning media, then decide whether eggs or adults will be moved. Reported incubation times vary with temperature and method, so treat breeding as a careful project rather than a guaranteed outcome.

Breeding cue	Practical meaning
Male displays near plants or mops	The tank layout is giving him usable territory
Females stay visible and feed well	Cover is probably adequate
Persistent chasing	Add cover, increase space or separate fish
Egg collection desired	Use spawning mops or a dedicated breeding setup

Arrival, Acclimation and Live Arrival Guarantee

Live fish are packed carefully and shipped with live-animal handling in mind. On arrival, keep the room calm, check the bag before opening, and follow the acclimation instructions supplied with the order. Do not pour transport water into the aquarium, and avoid exposing the fish to sudden temperature or light changes.

The Live Arrival Guarantee applies when the delivery and acclimation steps are followed. If there is ever a problem, photograph the sealed bag promptly and contact us straight away so the support record is clear. The aim is not just to send a fish, but to give you the best chance of settling it properly.

Good Signs After Arrival

Time after arrival	What you want to see	What to do
First hour	Fish upright, resting under cover	Keep lights low and avoid chasing
First day	Short explorations, steady breathing	Offer only a tiny test feed if settled
First week	Improved colour and confident feeding	Build a varied small-food routine
Ongoing	Visible display, no constant hiding	Adjust cover or tank mates if stress appears

Visual Notes

This product currently includes four SKU-specific aquarium visuals for Amiet's Lyretail Killifish. They are kept on the listing because they help buyers understand body shape, planted-tank presentation and the kind of calm aquascape that suits the fish.

You Might Also Like

• Browse more killifish
• See the killifish shop collection
• Australe Lyretail Panchax
• Gardner's Killifish
• Fundulopanchax gardneri Nsuka
• Scheel's Killie
• Spotted Panchax