Red-lined Killifish | Aphyosemion striatum




Killifish / Aplocheilinae / Red-lined Killifish

Profile: Red-lined Killifish, Red Striped Killifish
Aphyosemion striatum Synonyms: Haplochilus striatus
Physical description: An elongated fish with an up-turned mouth.   The back is brownish orange.   The flanks have a multitude of colors becoming darker towards the belly.   The coloring starts out as orange becoming yellow, then green, then blue, and finally violet near the belly.    The body is marked with five, red, lateral dotted line.  The dorsal fin is green with two red stripes.   The caudal fin is many colors like the body, and is marked with red spots and stripes.  The lower edge of the caudal, anal, and pectoral fins are yellow.   The anal and pectoral fins are blue in color with red markings.
Size/Length: To 2" (5 cm)
Similar species: Several other Aphyosemion species.
Habitat: Inhabits small, shallow streams.   West Africa; Northern Gabon.
S: bottom, middle
Aquarium: a tank measuring 16" (40 cm) with a volume of 5 gallons (19 L) is sufficient for a pair.  The tank should be heavily planted with a cover of floating plants.   Use a dark substrate and provide hiding places with wood and roots.  Cover the tank well.
Water chemistry: pH 5.5-7 (6.0), 4-14 dH (8), 68-73°F (20-23°C).   A   small, 0.5% addition of salt is suggested to help prevent infections.  This can be accomplished by adding 4 TSP. of salt for every 10 gallons (5 g of salt/10 L)
Social behavior: A small, peaceful species that can be kept in pairs.  
Suggested companions: Other Aphyosemion species, tetras of the upper swimming levels, hatchetfish, pencilfish, lamp-eyes that can tolerate lower water temperatures, Corydoras , Loricarids, Trichopsis , Pangio , Puntius titteya.
FOOD: Live; flying insects- Drosophila, insect larvae, Brine Shrimp, other crustaceans, Tubifex worms; flakes.
Sexual differences: Males are more colorful.
Breeding techniques: This species can be bred in small tanks planted with large amounts of Java Moss.   A pair in top condition may spawn 20-30 eggs daily for a period of three to four weeks.   The eggs adhere to the tank bottom.   Remove the eggs after a day's spawning.  The eggs take 10-14 days to hatch and the fry can be raised on small Brine Shrimp nauplii.
Breeding potential: 6.  Breeding is moderately difficult.
Remarks: At higher temperatures, this species will lose some colors and live for shorter periods.  
Difficulty of care: 5.  A moderately sensitive Killifish.