Red-striped killifish
Aphyosemion striatum
Among Africa's most colorful killifish and one of the best for beginners: males display orderly rows of red dots on a blue-green base creating a unique horizontal stripe effect. Native to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, it is a 'guaranteed' breeder according to enthusiasts — laying eggs daily in small batches on mops or moss. Despite its peaceful appearance, it can be a fin-nipper: best in a species-only tank. Average lifespan 2–5 years; does not tolerate high temperatures above 25 °C well.
Température de l’eau
20 - 24 °C
Valeur du pH
6 - 7.2
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Surface et milieu
Taille adulte
5,5 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 30 L
Groupe minimal
>= 3
GH
2 - 10 dGH
KH
1 - 5 dKH
TDS
40 - 200 ppm
Conductivité
63 - 313 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the coastal streams of Equatorial Guinea and northern Gabon. Inhabits pristine rainforest puddles and shallow streams flowing over siliceous sand and silt beds, thickly shaded.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Red-striped Killifish (Aphyosemion striatum). Robust and proportionate Killi. Among the Aphyosemion species, it stands out clearly for an upward-oriented mouth apparatus and the unmistakable parallel lines (striae) on the flanks.
Social Behavior: One of the most peaceful and tolerant Killifish. It is highly recommended to beginners of Cyprinodontiformes. Can live in small groups without the males wearing themselves out in lethal fights, provided a refuge is guaranteed for the chased females.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Males flaunt a dazzling livery: 4 or 5 horizontal lines of fused carmine-red spots run on a teal or pastel blue background. Females are drab, gray-brown, devoid of bright colors or evident bands.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Minimum 50 cm (20 inches). Create a miniature "Jungle": wood covered with Epiphytes (Microsorum), floating plants (Salvinia or Limnobium) to dampen the light intensity and dry oak or catappa leaves on the bottom.
Diet and Feeding: Mainly surface insectivore. Exceptionally appreciates wingless fruit flies (Drosophila) served on the surface. Feed regularly with frozen brine shrimp, white worms and daphnia. Almost always ignores industrial pellets.
Water Quality: Prefers surprisingly mild temperatures for an African fish (20-24°C / 68-75°F). Ensure the water is rich in tannins and soft (GH below 10). Poor water quality irreversibly debilitates it in a few days.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Ideal for a quiet community nano-tank. Excellent companions are small dwarf Loricariids (Otocinclus) or microrasboras (Danio margaritatus). The strong food aggressiveness of large Characins or Barbs would cause it to starve to death.
Aquarium Breeding: Non-annual spawners. The acrylic wool "Mop" method produces excellent results: the female attaches tiny amber eggs to it daily, which will hatch in 12-15 days. Fry feed on infusoria for the first week.
Risks and Diseases: In case of chronic stress caused by too strong water currents (invasive filtration), it will tend to clamp its fins and rock (shimming), an early symptom of external mycosis. Maniacally close the tank to avoid fatal jumps.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Endemic to the coastal streams of Equatorial Guinea and northern Gabon. Inhabits pristine rainforest puddles and shallow streams flowing over siliceous sand and silt beds, thickly shaded.
Origine
Afrique et Madagascar
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Aggressive
- Aphyosemion striatum is a peaceful and relatively timid fish, making it an excellent choice for a quiet community aquarium. However, males can exhibit territorial behavior and will actively fight or intimidate rival males of the same or similar species. They are generally calm and may display shyness when first introduced, which can be mitigated by providing plenty of cover. They do not tolerate boisterous, hyperactive, or aggressive tankmates that might outcompete them for resources.
- Régime alimentaire
- Carnivore
- This species is primarily carnivorous and feeds on small invertebrates, insect larvae, and zooplankton in its natural habitat. In the aquarium, they should be offered a varied diet consisting of live and frozen foods such as baby brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, and white mosquito larvae. While they can adapt to high-quality flake or micro-granule foods, they show the best coloration and health when fed live foods regularly. A diverse diet is particularly important for conditioning breeding pairs.
- Espérance de vie
- 2-3 years
- Taille adulte
- 5.5 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Harem
- The ideal stocking recommendation for this species is keeping them in pairs or in trios consisting of one male and two females. Keeping multiple males in the same aquarium can lead to territorial aggression and sparring, although a larger, well-planted aquarium with plenty of visual barriers may allow for a small group. In a harem setup, having more females than males helps distribute the breeding attention and reduces stress on individual females. For beginners, a single pair or a trio remains the safest and most successful choice.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- For optimal health, it is recommended to feed Aphyosemion striatum once or twice daily in small quantities. Feeding sessions should only consist of what the fish can consume within a couple of minutes to prevent water contamination. Since they have a fast metabolism, younger fish and breeding pairs may benefit from twice-daily feedings, whereas adult non-breeding individuals do well with a single daily meal. Including a fasting day once a week can help maintain digestive health and prevent obesity.
- Charge biologique
- Low
- Aphyosemion striatum is a small species that produces a relatively low biological waste load due to its small size of about 5–6 cm. However, they are sensitive to accumulating organic waste and rapid changes in water parameters, which means standard maintenance is crucial. A simple sponge filter or a low-flow filter is highly recommended to keep the water clean without creating stressful currents. Frequent, small water changes are essential to prevent any build-up of nitrates and to maintain optimal health.
- Courant
- Strong
- Aphyosemion striatum prefers weak or minimal water flow, reflecting their natural habitats of slow-moving streams, pools, and rainforest swamps. Strong currents can exhaust these small fish, causing stress, lethargy, and a decline in overall health. An air-driven sponge filter or a gentle hang-on-back filter with a baffled output is ideal for their tank. Creating calm water zones with the help of dense plants and driftwood ensures they have plenty of resting areas.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- This species exhibits a very high risk of jumping, which is a common survival behavior in their natural shallow forest environments. Even the smallest gap in the aquarium cover can result in fish leaping out and perish. It is absolutely mandatory to have a tight-fitting lid and to secure any openings around filters, heaters, or cables. Incorporating floating plants such as Salvinia or duckweed can also help cover the water surface, making the fish feel more secure and less inclined to jump.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Reproduction is relatively easy, making this species a popular choice for beginner killifish breeders. As non-annual killifish, their adhesive eggs do not require dry incubation and will hatch directly in water after 14 to 21 days. They lay their eggs on fine-leaved plants like Java moss or on synthetic spawning mops, which should be checked and collected regularly to protect the eggs from being eaten by the parents. Raising the fry is straightforward if they are fed newly hatched brine shrimp or infusoria in clean, stable water conditions.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Community
- Aphyosemion striatum is compatible with small, peaceful, and slow-moving tankmates that share similar water requirements. Suitable companions include dwarf Corydoras, small pencilfish, Kuhli loaches, and peaceable dwarf shrimp. They should not be kept with large, aggressive, or fast-swimming species like active tetras or barbs, which may outcompete them for food or nipping their delicate fins. The best arrangement is often a species-only tank, which allows them to show their natural behaviors and stunning coloration without stress.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Top/Middle
- Aphyosemion striatum primarily occupies the middle and upper levels of the water column. They are frequently found hovering just beneath the water surface or among floating plants where they feel secure from predators. While they will occasionally descend to the lower areas of the tank to forage for food or inspect the substrate, their natural behavior is focused on the upper half. Providing tall plants, driftwood, and floating vegetation will encourage them to utilize the middle and top zones actively.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3,2 ± 0,5 se
- Résilience
- Faible (4,5 - 14 ans)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.00603, b = 3.13
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
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