Australe Killifish
Aphyosemion australe
The Australe Killifish (Aphyosemion australe) is a peaceful fish that's a good step up once you have a little experience. Give it a tank of at least 40 litres (11 US gallons), water held at 64-75°F, and a pH of 6-7.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Africa
- Africa
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Australe Killifish Tank Setup
A tank of at least 40 litres (11 US gallons) at 64-75°F and pH 6-7.5 suits them well. Livebearers breed quickly, so plan for the fry and keep an eye on your male-to-female ratio.
What Do Australe Killifish Eat?
They have small mouths, so stick to small foods: crushed flake, fine granules, and now and then a treat of frozen or live foods such as daphnia or baby brine shrimp. Anything too large simply gets ignored.
Australe Killifish Tank Mates
Beautiful West African killifish. Cooler water than most tropicals. Live food preferred; will take frozen. The Australe Killifish is peaceful, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. Good matches come down to the whole stocking list working together - temperature, tank size, and temperament - not any single label. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Australe Killifish Good for Beginners?
Doable once you test water regularly and catch problems before fish look sick. If this is your first tank, pick something more forgiving and come back later.
Australe Killifish - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Australe Killifish need?
Australe Killifish need a tank of at least 40 litres (11 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Australe Killifish need?
Keep them at 64-75°F with a pH of 6-7.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Australe Killifish eat?
Australe Killifish have small mouths, so they need small foods. Crushed flake and fine granules form the staple, with the occasional treat of frozen or live foods such as daphnia or baby brine shrimp. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Australe Killifish good for beginners?
Australe Killifish are best for keepers with a little experience. They are manageable once you test water regularly and catch problems early; a complete beginner may prefer something more forgiving first.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Australe Killifish
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- OscarPredator - Oscar will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- AxolotlPredator - Axolotl will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Betta (Male)Predator - Betta (Male) will eat or injure smaller tank mates
