Labarre's Aphyosemion (Aphyosemion labarrei)

Species Overview

Labarre's Aphyosemion (Aphyosemion labarrei) is a rare Central African killifish from the Inkisi drainage of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

This listing is for young fish supplied at approximately 3-4 cm. Plan for an adult fish around 5 cm total length, not the old hidden 3.5 cm adult figure. It is still a small fish, but not a throwaway nano species: it needs stable water, careful feeding, a secure lid and a calm planted aquarium.

Name, Range and Habitat

FishBase records Aphyosemion labarrei from Africa, specifically the middle and lower Inkisi River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The AKA/WAK reference gives the type locality as an area near Madimba, close to Kiavo in western Zaire, and describes the species from the middle to lower Inkisi River drainage, including a small tributary of the Ngufu River. FishBase point data also clusters around Kisantu and related Inkisi/Bas-Congo localities.

The habitat is not a generic open community aquarium. FishBase describes small rainforest brooks and small streams, while WAK describes swampy areas of small rainforest brooks and streams. In practical aquarium terms, aim for a mature tank with gentle flow, cover, shaded areas, fine plants, roots, leaf litter if used safely and very clean water.

Appearance and Display Value

BKA describes males with grey-white flanks, brown tones toward the head, blue toward the caudal peduncle and many bright red spots. The caudal and dorsal fin colour can be especially attractive, with blue and deep red edging. WAK also notes broad red outer margins in the caudal fin and a strong blue metallic shine on the sides.

Females are not plain filler fish. BKA notes light reddish-brown females with red spotting and subtle fin markings, which is one reason this species feels more refined than many small fish. Young stock may arrive less dramatic than adult reference photos, so colour is best judged after settling, good feeding and low stress.

Aquarium Setup

Use a covered, mature planted aquarium rather than a bare bright tank. A pair or small group can be kept in a compact setup by experienced killifish keepers, but a display aquarium of around 45 litres or more gives better stability and space for cover. The lid must be tight because killifish jump well.

• Use moss, fine-leaved plants, roots and floating plants for shelter.
• Keep flow gentle; sponge filters and baffled outlets are ideal.
• Add shaded areas and visual breaks so females and subordinate fish can avoid attention.
• Keep the aquarium mature before adding the fish; ammonia and nitrite must remain zero.
• Avoid sharp decor, strong current and tanks that run hot in summer.

Botanicals such as Indian almond leaves or alder cones can help create a calmer rainforest-brook feel if you already understand how they affect your water. They are not a shortcut for clean water, regular maintenance or careful feeding.

Water Parameters

The Petra supplier data lists 22-24 C, pH 5.8-7.2 and 5-15 dGH. FishBase also lists 22-24 C. The BKA pamphlet is more cautious, saying temperature should be no higher than 72 F, and later notes place 68 F as an ideal breeding temperature. In other words, do not treat this as a warm community fish.

• Temperature: 20-22 C preferred for careful long-term keeping; 22-24 C supplier/FishBase range.
• pH: about 5.8-7.2; stable slightly acidic to near-neutral water is sensible.
• Hardness: soft to moderate; rainwater/very soft water is reported in breeding notes, but stability matters.
• Water quality: zero ammonia, zero nitrite and low nitrate.

Acclimate slowly after delivery, especially if your tap water is harder, warmer or more alkaline than the holding water. FishBase marks the species as difficult to maintain in the aquarium, so it is better suited to keepers who already have stable small-fish husbandry.

Feeding

Aphyosemion labarrei is a small carnivorous killifish. Offer small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops, baby brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, grindal worm, fruit flies and small bloodworm where appropriate. Fine prepared foods may be accepted, but do not rely on dry food alone for condition.

Feed small amounts and watch each fish. These fish are not built for a busy tank where fast danios, barbs or larger community fish take all the food first. Uneaten rich foods should be removed quickly to protect water quality.

Temperament and Tank Mates

This is a peaceful killifish in the right setting, but it is not a careless mixed-community choice. BKA notes that large males may bully or eat much smaller fish, and WAK notes males can be aggressive with a recommendation for two or three females where possible. A species-focused pair, trio or small group is the safest route.

If you add tank mates, choose only very calm, similarly sized fish that share cooler, soft-water conditions and will not dominate feeding. Avoid fin nippers, boisterous community fish, aggressive dwarf cichlids, large fish and tiny fry or shrimplets that may be eaten. For the best colour and behaviour, keep the display quiet.

Breeding Notes

WAK and BKA describe mop, sunken peat or bottom-spawning methods with water incubation; they do not support drying eggs as the default advice for ordinary keepers.

For a breeding attempt, condition adults with small live foods and provide floating or sunken mops, moss or peat fibre. WAK reports large eggs taking about 12-14 days of water incubation, with other reports hatching between 9 and 21 days. BKA also notes that higher temperature can reduce egg yield and that clean egg water matters. Fry may need tiny first foods before taking baby brine shrimp.

Common Mistakes

• Leaving gaps in the aquarium lid.
• Keeping the fish too warm because it is sold as a tropical fish.
• Using annual-killifish dry-egg advice as the default method.
• Planning for a permanent 3.5 cm adult fish instead of about 5 cm.
• Keeping them with fast feeders or fish that harass slow, cautious species.
• Using a tiny, immature tank where water quality changes quickly.

Who This Fish Suits

Labarre's Aphyosemion suits keepers who like rare killifish, small live foods and quiet planted aquariums. It is a good choice if you can keep cooler stable water, cover the tank properly and feed thoughtfully. It is less suitable for a first aquarium, a warm mixed community, uncovered aquariums or anyone wanting a fish that thrives on dry food and bright open space.

Photo, Size and Delivery Notes

The exact Petra/source photo is included in the gallery so you can judge the fish honestly, while the existing aquarium visuals remain for planted-tank context. Your fish may arrive as young stock around 3-4 cm and should continue to colour and fill out with maturity, good food and low-stress surroundings.

Eligible livestock orders are packed carefully and supported by the Tropical Fish Co Live Arrival Guarantee. Please be ready to receive the parcel, acclimate slowly and move the fish into a mature, covered aquarium with suitable water conditions. WELCOME10 is the current first-order discount code in the site discount registry; use it at checkout if the published terms apply.

Sources Used For This Listing

Care and identity notes were checked against FishBase for range, maximum size, temperature and non-seasonal status; AKA/WAK reference notes for type locality, Inkisi drainage, habitat, history and breeding; British Killifish Association notes for appearance, temperature, temperament and spawning; FishBase point data for Kisantu/Inkisi locality evidence; Petra Aqua for supplied size, pH, hardness and stock photo.