Order Cyprinodontiformes
Superfamily Cyprinodontoidae
Family Nothobranchiidae
Continued…
Genus Aphyosemion. A.
— Aphyosemion calliurum [Boulenger, 1911] — Banner Lyretail. Code: CAL. Synonym: Aphyosemion vexillifer, Haplochilus calliurus. Southern Nigeria, Niger Delta, Cameroon, Liberia, swamps, coastal waters of tropical forests. 5 cm. Males are brightly colored with elongated unpaired fins. The male is dark blue with a lighter back, flanks are decorated with rows of dark red spots, closer to the tail they are crossed by vertical stripes.
The dorsal fin is reddish-blue with a yellow border, the anal fin is also blue but with a yellow margin. On the lyre-shaped caudal fin, blue in the center with red speckles – a red stripe with yellow edges. The female is gray-brown, her body and rounded tail are covered with small red speckles. Males are colored brightly and colorfully, females are much paler and drabber.
Can be kept in a community aquarium, but preferably in a species tank. In cramped aquariums, males can become aggressive towards each other. They occupy the middle water layer. Old, peat-filtered water. Weekly 20% water change. Regular changes should be done gradually, as a sharp change in water parameters can lead to shock and death. Fish eat almost any live food well. Sexual maturity: about 5 months. Spawn is deposited on plants. In peat, eggs can survive up to 6 weeks. Temperature 24-26°C; keeping them at a higher temperature shortens the lifespan of the fish. dH 5-10°, pH 5.8-7.2, presence of salt (1-2 teaspoons per 10 l of water). Lifespan 1-2 years.
— Aphyosemion cameronense [Boulenger, 1903] — Cameroon killi. Code: CAM. Cameroon to Gabon, Dja and Kribi Rivers; Inhabit waters with muddy water and leaf-covered bottoms, good aeration, in open areas of forest streams. 5 cm. Non-annual species. Male is multicolored (coloration is very variable), female is gray-brown. 2 subspecies are known: — A. cameronense haasi (Code: HAA) and — A. cameronense halleri (Code: HAL).
Can be kept with small, non-predatory fish. Do not keep with overly energetic and aggressive fish. Feels best under dim top lighting, stays mostly near the water surface among floating plants. The natural diet consists mainly of flying insects that accidentally fall onto the water surface. Spawns in the middle water layers on vegetation. Reproduction is not difficult, requires experience. Keep at a temperature of 20-24°C, pH <7.
— Aphyosemion caudofasciatum [Huber & Radda 1979] — Caudal-stripe killi. Code: CAU. Africa, Congo, small fast mountain streams. 5 cm. The male’s back is brown, the belly is lighter. Flanks in reflected light show a blue iridescence, more pronounced in the head and gill cover areas. There are three red stripes on the head, turning into four rows of dots stretching along the body. The dorsal fin is yellow, with a red stripe at the base and a red-brown rim along the outer edge. The anal fin features vertical stripes of blue, red, and orange colors.
The coloration of the caudal fin, to which the fish owe their name, is quite peculiar. Narrow red lines run between the rays on a yellow-green background, in the middle of the fin there is a wide vertical brown-red belt, the top and bottom of the fin are edged with an orange border with a brownish-red sheen. Pectoral fins are transparent, with a faint bluish tint. Pelvic fins are blue at the base, light orange towards the edge. All unpaired fins are slightly elongated. The female is brown, with a darker back and light belly. Reddish-brown spots on the flanks. Fins are colorless. It should be noted that in old males, the coloration gradually fades and approaches that of females.
Can be kept in a community aquarium. Aquarium with soft water and a thin layer of peat on the bottom. Plants can include Java moss, Microsorum, and floating Ceratopteris bushes, which serve as shelter for the fish. An open swimming area is required; driftwood and grottoes can be placed in the aquarium. In cramped aquariums, males can become aggressive towards each other. It is better to keep one male and several females. They occupy the middle and upper water layers.
Water: old, soft, peat-filtered, dH 5-8, pH 5.8-7.2, presence of salt (1-2 teaspoons per 10 l of water). Weak aeration is desirable to create water movement, weekly 20% water change. Temperature 18-22°C. Keeping them at a higher temperature shortens the lifespan of the fish. Spawned at 8 months of age. Fish deposit eggs on a vertical surface a few centimeters from the bottom. This can be the aquarium glass or the side surface of a stone. Lifespan 1-2 years.
— Aphyosemion celiae [Scheel, 1971] — Aphyosemion celiae. Code: CEL. Cameroon. 5 cm. Males are distinguished by a peculiar, bright, colorful coloration. Females are colored typically for Aphyosemion. A relatively peaceful fish; in a spacious tank with plenty of females, dense thickets, and other shelters, several males can be kept simultaneously. For maximum comfort, it is best to provide the fish with a shallow aquarium with the largest possible surface area.
Lighting should preferably be diffused and moderately bright. Suitable decor elements include dense thickets of aquatic plants with finely divided foliage reaching the water surface. Floating flora is also useful. Efficient filtration, periodic partial water changes with fresh water. Live up to 3 years. Optimal maintenance conditions: T 22-26°C (high temperatures lead to premature aging of these fish), dH up to 12°, pH 6-7.
— Aphyosemion christyi [Boulenger, 1915] — Christy’s Lyretail. Code: CHR. Synonym: Aphyosemion castaneum. Zaire, area around Kinshasa, Lindi River; Non-annual species. 5 cm. Very high color variability. Males have a predominantly yellowish-brown coloration, females are brown, sometimes greenish-brown with red scale edges. Males have a lyre-shaped caudal fin and are colored more brightly than females.
Peaceful. Can be kept in a community aquarium. Swimming space is required; driftwood and grottoes can be placed in the aquarium. Shaded areas need to be created. It is better to keep them in a group of 4 or more fish. They occupy the upper and middle water layers. Sexual maturity at 6-9 months. Spawns in the middle water layers on plants. Reproduction is not difficult, requires experience. Eggs are deposited on plants. Hardness 3-7, pH 6.2-6.8, water temperature about 24°C. It is advisable to add table salt – a teaspoon per 10 liters of water. Lifespan up to 3 years.
Aphyosemion coeleste, cognatum, congicum, cyanostictum, deltaense.
Aphyosemion bitaeniatum, bivittatum, bualanum, buytaerti. 
