Celia's Aphyosemion

About

Celia's Aphyosemion (Aphyosemion celiae) is a small killifish native to the middle Mungo drainage in western Cameroon, where it turns up in a surprisingly varied range of habitats. Forest brooks, swampy pools, wells, and the edges of secondary savanna. That adaptability in the wild carries over into the aquarium, making it one of the more accessible killifish for keepers who are new to the group. Unlike many of its relatives, it is not a seasonal species, meaning it doesn't follow the boom-and-bust life cycle tied to drying pools, and it can be kept and bred without the egg-drying techniques that seasonal killifish require. Males of most Aphyosemion species are vividly patterned with reds, blues, and yellows arranged in spots and streaks, while females tend toward a plainer brownish tone. A pattern typical across the genus. At a maximum of around two and a half inches, this is a fish well suited to smaller, well-planted setups with gentle filtration and soft, slightly acidic water. It does best when kept away from boisterous tankmates, paired instead with similarly calm species that won't outcompete it at feeding time.