Herzog's Killi
Aphyosemion bochtleri
A dainty rainforest killifish with a surprisingly forgiving temperament for beginners.
About
Found in the clear, gently flowing hill streams of the central African rainforest, Aphyosemion bochtleri is a small killifish native to northern Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Cameroon. It spent several decades lumped together with the closely related A. herzogi before taxonomists recognized it as its own distinct species. A reminder that this group still holds plenty of unresolved complexity. Unlike many of its killifish relatives, this is not a seasonal species, meaning it doesn't rely on a dry-season diapause to complete its life cycle. Instead it spawns among bottom substrate and takes roughly a month to hatch, which simplifies breeding considerably compared to annual killifish that require egg storage. At just over an inch to about two inches when fully grown, it's a small fish, and its mountain-stream origins mean it appreciates cooler, soft, slightly acidic water. Though it sits at the more accessible end of killifish keeping. Its modest size, manageable breeding method, and beginner-friendly care rating make it a reasonable entry point for anyone curious about the Aphyosemion genus without wanting to dive straight into the more demanding seasonal species.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Herzog's Killi
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Herzog's Killi get?
- The Herzog's Killi reaches about 1–2" as an adult.
- What water parameters does the Herzog's Killi need?
- The Herzog's Killi does best with a temperature of 68–75°F, a pH of 6–7.2, hardness around 1–5 dGH.
- Is the Herzog's Killi aggressive?
- The Herzog's Killi is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.