Blue Lyretail
Fundulopanchax gardneri
Also known as: Gardner's Killi, Gold Gardneri Killifish (Tank Bred), Steel-blue Aphyosemion
A jewel-toned killifish that rewards patient keepers with dazzling color and easy spawning.
About
The Blue Lyretail (Fundulopanchax gardneri) is one of the most accessible and rewarding killifish in the hobby, wearing a mosaic of blue, red, and yellow that few small freshwater fish can match. In the wild it comes from the Cross River basin and the lower Benue region of West Africa, where it inhabits slow brooks, swampy pools, and shaded forest streams across both rainforest and highland savanna habitats. Importantly, this is not a seasonal killifish. It doesn't require the dry-season dormancy period that makes some killies tricky to breed, which puts it well within reach of intermediate keepers. Spawning is relatively straightforward, and eggs incubate in about a month. Males are the showier sex, carrying the namesake lyre-shaped tail extensions along with richer coloration. Temperament is where new keepers sometimes get caught off guard: males can turn snippy, particularly toward each other and noticeably more so when underfed. Keeping them well fed goes a long way toward keeping the peace. A species-only setup or a tank with fast-moving, appropriately sized tankmates works better than a general community. Given their modest adult size, they don't need a lot of space, but they do need attentive management to look and behave their best.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Blue Lyretail
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Blue Lyretail get?
- The Blue Lyretail reaches about 1.5–2.5" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Blue Lyretail need?
- A minimum of 5 gallons is recommended for the Blue Lyretail.
- What water parameters does the Blue Lyretail need?
- The Blue Lyretail does best with a temperature of 68–82°F, a pH of 6–7.5, hardness around 4–12 dGH.
- Is the Blue Lyretail aggressive?
- The Blue Lyretail is semi-aggressive. It can work in a community with careful tankmate choices and enough space.
- What does the Blue Lyretail eat?
- The Blue Lyretail is an omnivore. It does well on a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus occasional frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Blue Lyretail live?
- With good care, the Blue Lyretail typically lives 5-8 years.