Blue Lyretail Killifish 'Akure' (Fundulopanchax gardneri) Pair

Common Name

Blue Lyretail Killifish – Akure locality

Scientific Name

Fundulopanchax gardneri (Akure locality)
Note: Older literature may list “clauseni”; modern hobby usage treats Akure as a distinct locality within the gardneri group. Keep lines labeled “Akure” and do not mix with other gardneri forms.

Origin and Habitat

Native to southern Nigeria and western Cameroon. The Akure population comes from small, shaded forest streams and seepage channels around Akure, Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria. Habitats feature leaf litter, palm roots, fallen wood, fine sand, and mossy patches. Water is soft, mildly acidic, tannin-stained, with very gentle flow and high oxygen along plant roots. Seasonal rains create temporary grassy puddles; dry periods concentrate fish in permanent shaded runs.

Temperature and Water Conditions

Preferred range: 72–76 °F (22–24 °C); tolerates 68–78 °F (20–26 °C). Wild pH typically 5.5–6.8 with very low hardness. Stability is far more important than exact wild values (except for dedicated breeding). Use gentle sponge filtration, light surface movement for oxygen, and botanicals/floating plants for shade. A tight lid with no gaps is essential—gardneri are excellent jumpers.

Appearance and Size

Akure males are stunning: turquoise-blue base with dense red spotting, yellow-gold margins on dorsal and caudal fins, and elegant lyre-shaped tail extensions. The face and gill covers flash metallic green-blue during displays. Females are smaller, olive-honey with fine speckling. Adult size: 5–6 cm (2–2.5 in); old males occasionally larger. Color intensifies with live foods, calm lighting, and dark substrate.

Diet in the Wild

Surface and midwater insectivore/micropredator—feeds on mosquito larvae, tiny aquatic insects, crustaceans, and zooplankton among leaves and roots.

Feeding in Captivity

Staple (once trained): quality nano pellets or very fine flake. Regularly supplement with small live/frozen foods—newly hatched brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, grindal worms, chopped blackworms. Feed modest portions twice daily; include occasional spirulina flake for gut health.

Behavior and Tank Setup

Peaceful, curious, and personable. Best kept as a pair or trio (1 male + 2 females) in a 10–15 gallon planted tank; larger groups need deep cover.

• Substrate: fine sand
• Décor: leaf litter, driftwood, moss clumps, floating plants
• Flow: very gentle with high oxygen
• Tight-fitting lid required

Compatible tankmates: quiet pencilfish, small rasboras, peaceful shrimp, tiny Corydoras (e.g., pygmaeus). Avoid fin-nippers and hyperactive competitors.

Breeding

Overview & Setup

Non-annual mop/plant spawner. Eggs can be water-incubated for steady trickle production or stored on damp peat for synchronized hatches.

Use a 5–10 gallon breeder with seasoned sponge filter, floating cover, and at least two yarn mops (one floating, one sinking). Pairs spawn daily; trios reduce female stress.

Conditioning

Hold 73–75 °F (23–24 °C), feed rich live/frozen foods twice daily for a week, and perform small, regular water changes with soft, slightly acidic water. Dim light and floating plants relax the fish.

Spawning

Male displays beside the mop with slow arcs and flared fins; female deposits single adhesive eggs in the yarn. Collect daily with wet fingers or pipette.

Water Incubation

Place eggs in a shallow hatch box with clean tank water, gentle aeration, and optional tannin/alder cones (tiny drop of methylene blue optional). At 73–75 °F embryos eye-up in 8–12 days and hatch by day 10–16.

Peat Incubation

Store eggs on barely moist peat or coco fiber in a labeled container. Once eyed-up (usually 1–2 weeks), rewet with soft water at the same temperature—fry emerge within 24–72 hours.

Fry Care

Start with Paramecium or fine liquid/powdered fry food → vinegar eels/microworms → newly hatched brine shrimp (often by day 3–5). Feed 3–5 tiny portions daily. Perform small daily water changes with matched parameters. Add moss or cholla for biofilm grazing. Separate faster growers as needed.

Line Stewardship

Always label as “Fundulopanchax gardneri Akure”. Never cross with other gardneri localities to preserve the classic look and story.

Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Fundulopanchax gardneri
• Common name: Blue Lyretail Killifish – Akure locality
• Origin: forest creeks near Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
• Adult size: 5–6 cm (2–2.5 in)
• Temperature: 72–76 °F (22–24 °C) preferred
• Wild pH: 5.5–6.8, very soft; stability key in captivity
• Temperament: peaceful; pairs or trios; secure lid required
• Diet: insectivore; fine prepared + regular live/frozen foods
• Breeding: non-annual mop/plant spawner; water or short peat incubation

Tropical Fish Co. Notes

Akure is the classic starter Fundulopanchax for a reason—the color is outrageous, the fish are personable, and breeding is approachable and addictive. Males hover under floating plants like tiny turquoise lanterns, then glide out to greet you at the glass. Keep water steady, give them mops and moss, and these little jewels will reward you with eggs, fry, and a whole new level of obsession.