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Two-Striped Lyretail

Aphyosemion bitaeniatum

Freshwater West and central Africa Usually captive bred

A dazzling non-annual killifish where males sport elongated lyre-shaped fins and iridescent rainbow flecks framed by two dark horizontal stripes. They flourish in dim, heavily planted nano tanks with floating vegetation. Ensure the aquarium cover is tight, as killifish are supreme jumpers.

5 cm adult length, drawn to scale. torpedo body.

Try it in the planner Opens a tank sized to its minimum with 1 fish added.

What it needs

ItemValueBecause
Adult length 5 cm Used for the Space check: the tank must be long enough for the fish to turn round.
Smallest tank 50 L, at least 45 cm long estimated The least water and floor length this species is kept in for good, as a single fish or smallest group.
Extra water per added fish 6 L estimated What each further fish adds once the minimum is met.
Waste load Class 1 of 5 estimated How much waste an adult makes against its size. Feeds the Load check.
Temperature 20 to 25 C Stock sharing a tank need overlapping ranges.
pH 6 to 7.2 Compared with tankmates in the Water check.
Hardness GH 3 to 10, KH 1 to 5 Degrees of general and carbonate hardness.
Flow Low Low-flow fish are stressed in a strong current.
Light Dim Matched to the lighting class on the needs sheet.
Group size Single fish is fine Not a schooling species.
Temperament Peaceful Territorial: weak.
Swims in All levels Fish that use different levels share a tank more easily.
Lifespan About 3 years A fish is a long commitment.
Experience Some experience helps A guide to how forgiving the species is of mistakes.
Jumps Yes Keep the tank covered.

Tags marked estimated are judged from the size and habits of the species rather than measured, so treat them as a sensible default.

Diet and tank layout

Two-Striped Lyretail is an carnivore that swims in all levels of the tank. It is safe with plants. Give it plenty of cover.

Tankmates

Works with

Depends

Avoid

Compare any two fish on the compatibility page, or print the equipment for a stock on the needs sheet. How this is worked out: the method.