Home page » Fresh-water aquarium fish » Aquarium fish aphyosemions

Aquarium fish aphyosemions

Family:Cyprinodontidae.

Distribution: TropicalWest Africa from Nigeria to Zaire, chiefly in slowly flowing or still waters.

Description: Body color: very varied. Species in photograph is possibly A. christyi. Size: from 3 to 13 cm. Sexual differences: the females of most species are far less striking and colorful than the males.

Environment: Most were originally in habitants of the tropical forest: only A. bualanum is found exclusively in the savanna. Temperature: 18 - 22 C, pH 6.5 is usually sufficient, but some species require pH down to 4.5. Water hardness: soft to medium - hard water, many species must have soft water. Illumination: subdued lighting. Substrate:peat, preferably sterilized. Furnishings: preferably feathery – leaved plants.

Feeding: Generally eat insects in the wild, and thesewill be needed for their well –being in the tank: the female’s capacity toproduce eggs often depends on this.

Biology:Behavior: a surface fish swimming about in schools in search of food. Reproduction: according to species, they lay eggs on the bottom or on plants (the perennial varieties only). Socialy life: in large groups or two females to one male, according to species. Compatibility:unsuitable for a community tank.