TankBud

Plumed lyretail

Fundulopanchax filamentosus

Also known as Plumed lyretail killifish, Filament killie, Aphyosemion filamentosum

FreshwaterFish

Plumed lyretail (Fundulopanchax filamentosus)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
68–75°F
20–24°C
pH
6.0–7.0
Adult size
2.4 in
6 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg layer · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Nothobranchiidae
Origin
Native to shallow forest and savanna waters in Togo, Benin, and southwestern Nigeria in West Africa.

Overview

The plumed lyretail is a mostly peaceful killifish for a planted species tank. It takes some experience to keep well.

Did you know

The plumed lyretail hedges its bets by laying eggs in two places. At least some eggs survive whether the pool dries out or not.

Caring for the plumed lyretail

Keep plumed lyretails as a trio or a small harem in a species tank of 20 gal (75 L) or more. A well planted, dimly lit tank with floating cover and a firm lid suits them.

Keep the water soft and slightly acidic, at 68 to 75°F (20 to 24°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Feed live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, white worm, brine shrimp and daphnia. They accept some dry food as well.

Plumed lyretail males show off to each other but rarely cause real harm when there is room and cover. They are bright, with rows of red spots on a blue-green body and extended, lyre-shaped tail points, while females are tan.

The plumed lyretail is a switch spawner that can lay eggs on plants or in the substrate, depending on conditions. Spawn it on fine plants or coconut fiber. Its eggs do not need to dry out completely, so incubate them damp, usually for six to ten weeks before wetting triggers hatching. Breeding it is a moderate challenge.

Good to know

The plumed lyretail, Fundulopanchax filamentosus, is a non-annual killifish in the family Nothobranchiidae. It lives longer than the true annual species.

In the wild

The plumed lyretail lives in small, often shaded pools, ditches and slow streams in the coastal lowlands of West Africa. Its range covers shallow forest and savanna waters in Togo, Benin and southwestern Nigeria.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The plumed lyretail is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a plumed lyretail need?

A plumed lyretail needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a plumed lyretail need?

A plumed lyretail is comfortable at 68–75°F (20–24°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.0.

What does a plumed lyretail eat?

A plumed lyretail eats live and frozen foods, such as bloodworm, white worm, brine shrimp and daphnia. It accepts some dry food as well.

How big does a plumed lyretail get?

An adult plumed lyretail reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).

How can you tell a male plumed lyretail from a female?

Males are bright, with rows of red spots on a blue-green body and extended, lyre-shaped tail points. Females are tan.

How does a plumed lyretail breed?

The plumed lyretail is a switch spawner that lays its eggs on plants or in the substrate. Incubate the eggs damp for six to ten weeks, then wet them to trigger hatching. Breeding it is moderately difficult.

Related species