Cape Lopez Killifish (Aphyosemion australe)

14 October 2026

The Cape Lopez killifish is a small, peaceful West African freshwater fish prized for its patterned body, flowing fins and manageable size. It inhabits slow-moving and temporary waters around coastal Gabon, including the Cape Lopez region. The supplied trade description identifies a pair as “Cape Lopez splendid carpets,” but this wording may describe a commercial strain rather than a formally recognized taxon. The image appears to show an orange form, so exact strain identification should be confirmed with the breeder or supplier.

Cape Lopez Killifish (Aphyosemion australe)

Taxonomy and identification

Aphyosemion australe belongs to the family Nothobranchiidae and order Cyprinodontiformes. It is commonly called the Cape Lopez killifish or Lyretail killifish. Males are more colorful and have longer, more ornate fins; females are smaller, rounder and comparatively subdued. “Splendid carpets” is treated here as a trade or line description, not as a separate species. The pictured fish appears consistent with an orange ornamental form, but image-based identification cannot establish the exact strain.

Natural distribution and habitat

This species is native to coastal areas of western Central Africa, especially Gabon and the Cape Lopez region. It occurs in shallow, slow-flowing streams, forest pools, swamps and other quiet waters with vegetation, leaf litter and subdued light. Aquarium specimens benefit from cover, gentle circulation and stable, clean water rather than strong current.

Aquarium size and setup

A planted aquarium of about 40 litres is a practical long-term size for a pair or small group, although a dedicated breeding setup can be smaller when carefully maintained. Use a tight-fitting lid because killifish can jump. Include floating plants, fine-leaved plants, driftwood or other cover, and open swimming space near the surface. Gentle filtration with an air-driven sponge filter is suitable. Dark substrate and subdued lighting often encourage confident behavior and improve color display.

Water parameters and maintenance

Keep the temperature around 20-24 °C, pH 6.0-7.5, and hardness low to moderate. The fish generally tolerate neutral conditions when acclimated, but stability is more important than pursuing a particular number. Provide regular partial water changes, avoid detectable ammonia and nitrite, and prevent abrupt changes in temperature or mineral content. Soft, slightly acidic water is useful for breeding, particularly when the source stock has been maintained under those conditions.

Behavior and compatibility

Cape Lopez killifish are generally peaceful, shy and most active when provided with vegetation and subdued lighting. Males display to females and to one another, but serious aggression is uncommon in a well-structured aquarium. Keep them with similarly small, calm fish that prefer comparable water and temperature. Avoid large, boisterous species, fin-nippers and highly competitive feeders. A species aquarium is the safest choice for preserving a particular strain and observing courtship.

Diet

Offer small live, frozen or high-quality prepared foods. Suitable choices include mosquito larvae, daphnia, grindal worms, baby brine shrimp and finely sized frozen foods. Many individuals accept good micro-pellets or flakes after acclimation, but varied feeding supports condition and spawning better than relying on dry food alone. Feed small portions once or twice daily and remove uneaten food promptly.

Breeding

This is a non-annual killifish that deposits adhesive eggs among fine plants, moss or a spawning mop. Condition the pair with nutritious live or frozen foods and provide a yarn mop or dense fine-leaved vegetation. The male courts the female under cover, where eggs are fertilized individually. Eggs can be collected and incubated in clean, slightly soft water, or left in the aquarium if some natural losses are acceptable. Hatching time varies with temperature, commonly taking roughly two to three weeks. Newly free-swimming fry require infusoria or another very small first food, followed by baby brine shrimp or similarly sized prey.

Conservation and strain notes

Captive-bred lines are preferable to unverified wild collection when available. Keep locality or line records and avoid mixing distinct populations if breeding for maintenance or exchange. Because the supplied name includes a commercial phrase and the photograph cannot verify provenance, the exact “splendid carpets” line should be documented from the seller rather than assumed from coloration alone.

Fish info

Care level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Adult size: Male up to about 6 cm; female about 4-5 cm
Life expectancy: 3-5 years
Fish type: West African non-annual killifish
Temperature : 20-24 °C
pH: 6.0-7.5

Related on Fishs

Leave your comments

Latest on Fishs

Burton’s Mouthbrooder (Astatotilapia burtoni)

Moderate

East African haplochromine cichlid

Burton’s mouthbrooder, Astatotilapia burtoni, is a moderately aggressive East African haplochromine cichlid known for strong social hierarchies and maternal mouthbrooding. Males become more vividly patterned and defend territories, while females are generally less colorful and carry eggs and fry in the mouth. A pair requires a spacious, well-filtered aquarium with rocky cover, alkaline water and carefully selected tank mates. The supplied identification is consistent with Astatotilapia burtoni, although sex and locality form cannot be confirmed from the photographs alone.
Cyrtocara moorii (Blue Dolphin Cichlid) Care Guide

Moderate

Lake Malawi haplochromine cichlid

Cyrtocara moorii is a large, distinctive haplochromine cichlid from Lake Malawi, recognised for its blue adult coloration and rounded forehead, which becomes more pronounced with age. It is a maternal mouthbrooder and is generally less aggressive than many Malawi mbuna, but its size and territorial breeding behaviour require a spacious aquarium. The supplied images appear consistent with blue C. moorii, although photographs cannot confirm sex, locality, or whether the fish form a true bonded pair.
Blue Dwarf Gourami Pair (Trichogaster lalius)

Easy - Moderate

Peaceful labyrinth fish

The blue dwarf gourami is a selectively colored form of a small labyrinth fish native to the Indian subcontinent. It spends much of its time in the upper and middle aquarium, using its specialized labyrinth organ to breathe atmospheric air. Males can become territorial, especially when nesting, so a planted aquarium with calm tank mates, gentle flow, and surface cover is important. The supplied name uses Trichopodus lalius; Trichogaster lalius is the commonly used current combination.
Blue Acara (Aequidens pulcher)

Moderate

South American freshwater cichlid

The supplied label identifies these fish as Blue Acara, Aequidens pulcher, a South American freshwater cichlid often placed in the genus Andinoacara in current aquarium literature. The photograph is consistent with a blue acara, although a definitive identification cannot be confirmed from one image alone. This pair requires a spacious aquarium, stable water quality, hiding places and careful observation during breeding, when territorial behavior becomes stronger.
Julidochromis transcriptus: Black-and-White Slender Cichlid

Moderate

Lake Tanganyika rock-dwelling cichlid

Julidochromis transcriptus is a small rock-dwelling cichlid from Lake Tanganyika, recognized by its compact, elongated body and irregular black-and-white pattern. It is a territorial cave dweller that is best kept as an established pair in a carefully structured aquarium. The supplied fish are identified as a DNZ pair, although sex, collection locality, and precise geographic form cannot be verified from the supplied material alone.
Azur Cichlid (Sciaenochromis fryeri) Care Guide

Moderate

Lake Malawi haplochromine cichlid

The Azur cichlid is commonly sold as Sciaenochromis fryeri, a predatory haplochromine cichlid from Lake Malawi. Mature males develop vivid electric-blue coloration, while females and juveniles are generally less intensely colored. This fish is moderately aggressive and needs a spacious aquarium with rocky structure, alkaline, mineral-rich water, and carefully selected tank mates. The supplied source describes a DNZ pair, but sex and exact locality cannot be confirmed from the images alone. Identification confidence is therefore good but not absolute.
Marble Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

Moderate

South American freshwater cichlid

The marble angelfish is a captive-bred color form of Pterophyllum scalare, a tall-bodied South American cichlid valued for its elegant fins and distinctive irregular black patterning. It needs a mature, spacious aquarium with excellent water quality, warm water and suitable tank mates. Although generally manageable, adults establish territories and may become assertive when pairing or spawning. The supplied source identifies two marble angelfish; exact lineage and strain details cannot be confirmed from the available information.
Gold Angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare

Moderate

Freshwater South American cichlid

The Gold Angelfish is an ornamental colour form of Pterophyllum scalare, a tall-bodied South American cichlid valued for its graceful movement and parental care. It needs a mature, spacious aquarium with substantial vertical clearance, stable warm water and carefully chosen tank mates. The supplied source identifies two fish as Gold Angelfish, although the accompanying images show several angelfish colour and fin forms, so the exact appearance of the supplied specimens cannot be confirmed from the images alone.
Zebra Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

Moderate

South American freshwater cichlid

The Zebra Angelfish is a selectively bred form of Pterophyllum scalare, recognised by a silvery body with several dark vertical bars and the tall, laterally compressed shape typical of freshwater angelfish. The supplied images also show other angelfish colour forms, so the exact appearance of the listed pair cannot be confirmed from the image set alone. This South American cichlid is generally manageable for experienced community keepers, but its size, territorial breeding behaviour and need for a tall aquarium should be planned for carefully.
Black Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

Moderate

South American freshwater cichlid

The supplied record identifies two black angelfish, most likely a domestic color form of Pterophyllum scalare. The photographs show several angelfish color patterns, so they should not be treated as proof that every pictured fish is black or that all belong to the same strain. Black angelfish retain the tall, laterally compressed body and extended fins typical of freshwater angelfish. They need a tall, mature aquarium, stable warm water, a varied diet, and carefully selected tank mates.
White Marble Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

Moderate

Freshwater cichlid

The white marble angelfish is a selectively bred aquarium color form of Pterophyllum scalare, a tall-bodied South American cichlid valued for its elegant fins and distinctive irregular dark marbling. It is generally peaceful when young but can become territorial, especially when paired for spawning. Successful care depends on a tall aquarium, excellent water quality, suitable tank mates, and a varied carnivorous-omnivorous diet. The exact genetic strain shown cannot be confirmed from photographs alone.
Freshwater Angelfish Mix (Pterophyllum scalare)

Moderate

Freshwater cichlid

Freshwater angelfish are tall-bodied South American cichlids valued for their graceful movement and wide range of captive color forms. The supplied source identifies a mixed group as Pterophyllum scalare; the photographs show several forms, including striped, black, orange, white, silver and blue-toned fish. They are manageable for experienced beginners, but their adult height, territorial breeding behavior and tendency to eat small tank mates require thoughtful aquarium planning.
Leopard Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

Moderate

South American freshwater cichlid

The leopard angelfish is a domestic color form of Pterophyllum scalare, a tall-bodied freshwater cichlid from tropical South America. Its silver to yellowish body is marked with irregular dark spots or broken vertical bars, although pattern intensity varies with age, mood and breeding line. It is generally peaceful in a suitably spacious community aquarium, but pairs become territorial when spawning. This fish needs warm, clean water, generous vertical swimming space and tank mates too large to swallow.
Yellow Labidochromis (Labidochromis caeruleus)

Easy - Moderate

Lake Malawi mbuna cichlid

The Yellow Labidochromis is a bright yellow mbuna cichlid from Lake Malawi. Labidochromis caeruleus is generally manageable for an African cichlid, but it remains territorial and needs hard, alkaline water, rockwork, and carefully chosen companions. The supplied source identifies two fish as a pair; sex and pair bonding cannot be confirmed from the available images. This species is an adaptable algae grazer, a maternal mouthbrooder, and a rewarding choice for an appropriately planned Malawi cichlid aquarium.
Blue Pearl Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

Moderate

Freshwater cichlid

The Blue Pearl Angelfish is a selectively bred colour form of Pterophyllum scalare, the freshwater angelfish. Its laterally compressed body, extended fins and tall profile make it a striking inhabitant of a planted community aquarium. The supplied trade label supports identification as this species and colour form, although individual colour intensity can vary. It requires warm, stable, clean water, generous vertical swimming space and thoughtful tank-mate selection, especially as adults become territorial when pairing or spawning.
Villavicencio Dwarf Cichlid Apistogramma macmasteri

Moderate

South American dwarf cichlid

Apistogramma macmasteri, commonly called the Villavicencio dwarf cichlid, is a small South American cichlid associated with the Río Orinoco drainage of Colombia. It is valued for its compact size, elaborate finnage and interesting courtship behavior. A bonded pair can be kept in a carefully structured aquarium with soft, clean water, sand, cover and several potential spawning sites. Although manageable for an experienced community aquarist, territorial behavior increases during breeding, so tank layout and tankmate selection are important.