Red-Chinned Aphyosemion (Aphyosemion calliurum)

Species Overview

Red-Chinned Aphyosemion (Aphyosemion calliurum), also known in the hobby as the Banner Lyretail, is a small West African killifish with fine lyretail finnage, red spotting and the red throat area that gives the trade name its appeal.

This listing is for young fish supplied at approximately 3-4 cm. Plan for adults around 5 cm total length. Petra lists 4 cm, while FishBase and WAK give 5 cm; for aquarium planning, the safer answer is to allow for a 5 cm killifish with space for cover, display and gentle territorial behaviour.

Name, Range and Habitat

FishBase records Aphyosemion calliurum from Africa, from southern Benin and southern Nigeria to south-western Cameroon. It lists the species as a freshwater, benthopelagic, non-migratory killifish. The FishBase Nigeria territory page also notes southern Nigeria records including the Ogun River and Niger Delta.

WAK gives a long population list for this species, including Benin, Lagos, Ikeja, Ijebu Ode, Calabar and multiple western Cameroon locality names. That matters because colour and fin pattern can vary by population. Unless a precise collection code is supplied, this product should be sold as Red-Chinned Aphyosemion / Banner Lyretail rather than as a named locality strain.

In nature this is a coastal rainforest fish. FishBase describes swamps, swampy parts of brooks, small streams and pools in the coastal rainforest. In aquarium terms, that points to gentle flow, clean mature water, fine plants, floating plants, roots, leaf litter if used carefully and shaded places where the fish can settle.

Appearance and Display Value

Male Red-Chinned Aphyosemion can be very attractive when settled. Expect a slim killifish with red spotting, metallic green-blue to golden tones depending on strain and light, and coloured fin margins. The red throat or chin area is part of the trade appeal, but young or newly arrived fish may show it softly until they settle.

Use dark substrate, floating plants and a low-stress group structure if you want the best display. Bright bare tanks often make this species look nervous and washed out. Females are usually subtler, but they are important for normal behaviour and breeding attempts, and should not be treated as unimportant extras.

Aquarium Setup

A pair or trio can be kept by experienced killifish keepers in a compact aquarium, but around 40-45 litres or more gives better stability and space for cover. Use a mature planted setup rather than a bare new tank. A tight lid is essential because small killifish jump through surprisingly small gaps.

• Use Java moss, spawning mops, fine-leaved plants and floating plants for cover.
• Keep filtration gentle; sponge filters or baffled outlets work well.
• Add roots, shaded areas and visual breaks so females and subordinate fish can avoid attention.
• Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero and avoid sudden swings in temperature or pH.
• Avoid strong current, bright open layouts and tanks that run hot in summer.

Botanicals such as Indian almond leaves or alder cones can suit the style of aquarium, but they are optional. They should support good husbandry, not replace water changes or careful feeding.

Water Parameters

Petra supplier data lists 20-25 C, pH 6.0-7.2 and 0-12 dGH. FishBase gives pH 5.8-7.2 and 24-26 C. Killi.co.uk breeder reports include successful keeping and spawning at 20-23 C and 24-27 C, while WAK breeding notes mention around 72 F. A stable, not-too-hot planted aquarium is the practical target.

• Temperature: 22-25 C for normal keeping; avoid prolonged heat.
• pH: about 6.0-7.2, with slightly acidic to near-neutral water ideal.
• Hardness: soft to moderately soft; Petra allows up to 12 dGH.
• Water quality: zero ammonia, zero nitrite and low nitrate.

Acclimate slowly after delivery, especially if your tap water is hard or alkaline. This species is easier than some rare killifish, but it still rewards stable water, cover and small regular feeds.

Feeding

Aphyosemion calliurum is a small carnivorous killifish. Offer small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops, baby brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, grindal worm and small bloodworm where appropriate. Good micro pellets or fine flake may be taken, but live and frozen foods are the route to the best colour and condition.

Feed little and often. These fish are not ideal with fast danios, barbs or large community fish that rush the food first. Remove uneaten rich foods promptly so a small aquarium does not foul.

Temperament and Tank Mates

This is generally a peaceful killifish, but peaceful does not mean careless. Males may display, chase and compete, especially in cramped or under-planted tanks. A species-focused pair, trio or small group is the safest option and gives the best chance of seeing natural behaviour.

If tank mates are used, choose calm, similarly sized fish that enjoy the same soft-water, planted conditions and will not dominate feeding. Avoid fin nippers, aggressive dwarf cichlids, boisterous community fish, large fish and tiny fry or shrimplets that may be eaten. A quiet tank is the point here.

Breeding Notes

FishBase records Aphyosemion calliurum as not seasonal. WAK and Killi.co.uk describe it as a typical top spawner that lays in floating vegetation or spawning mops, with water incubation rather than dry annual-killifish treatment as the default advice.

For a breeding attempt, condition adults with small live foods and provide floating mops, fine plants or moss. WAK records water incubation around 10-20 days, with some eggs taking longer, and Killi.co.uk reports 10-30 days. Newly hatched fry are usually able to take newly hatched brine shrimp or microworm, but keep first foods ready and protect water quality.

Common Mistakes

• Leaving gaps in the lid.
• Using a bright bare tank with no floating cover.
• Calling it an annual killifish and drying eggs as default advice.
• Planning from a 4 cm sales size rather than allowing for around 5 cm adult size.
• Keeping it with fast feeders or fish that nip fins.
• Letting a small aquarium overheat or become unstable between water changes.

Who This Fish Suits

Red-Chinned Aphyosemion suits keepers who enjoy small, colourful killifish and quiet planted aquariums. It is a strong choice if you can keep a covered tank, feed small live or frozen foods and provide stable soft-water conditions. It is less suitable for a busy first community aquarium, an uncovered tank, or a warm high-flow display built for active schooling fish.

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 colour more strongly after settling, feeding and maturing.

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, pH, temperature, maximum size, habitat, non-seasonal status and aquarium suitability; FishBase territory data for southern Nigeria locality evidence; AKA/WAK for synonyms, population/locality history and breeding notes; Killi.co.uk for hobby breeder reports on spawning mops, water incubation and temperature ranges; British Killifish Association notes for coastal-forest habitat and appearance; Petra Aqua for supplied size, pH, hardness and stock photo.