Photos © Sean Evans
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| Common name: | Steel-Blue killifish, Blue lyretail, Gardner's Aphyosemion |
| Scientific name: | Fundulopanchax gardneri gardneri |
| Synonyms: | Aphyosemion gardneri (old genus name, not valid) |
| Origin: | Africa: Nigeria and western Cameroon |
| Size: | 2.5" (6cm), females smaller |
| Recommended tank size: | 45 x 30cm (18 x 12") or larger. |
| Tank setup: | Planted tank with subdued lighting and gentle circulation. |
| Compatibility: | Best kept in a species tank, males can be quarrelsome. |
| Temperature: | 22-25oC (71-77oF) |
| Water chemistry: | Soft and slightly acidic (pH 6.0-6.8) |
| Feeding: | An omnivore, but primarily a micropredator: will usually take flake and granular foods, which should be supplemented
with small live and frozen foods |
| Sexing: | Males are larger and more colourful with extended finnage. |
| Breeding: | Eggs will be scattered over fine leaved plants, hatching takes about two to three weeks. Fry will be free-swimming
almost immediately and will need tiny live foods initially, such as microworms and baby brine shrimp (Artemia nauplii). |
| Comments: | Soft, acidic 'blackwater' conditions are ideal for this species. The use of peat in the filter or the addition
of commercial blackwater extracts, bogwood and/or leaves (such as Catappa, oak or beach) to the tank is recommended. |
