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Banner lyretail (Aphyosemion calliurum) — Nothobranchiidae

Banner lyretail

Aphyosemion calliurum
LC · Least Concern

The Banner lyretail (Aphyosemion calliurum) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The banner lyretail is a small, colourful killifish of the family Nothobranchiidae from the coastal rainforest of West Africa. The species grows to about 5 cm; males are brilliantly blue-green with red markings and elongated, lyre-like tail-fin tips, females plain. It inhabits swamps and swampy parts of forest brooks, small streams and pools. Unlike the true seasonal killifishes this is not a seasonal species of drying pools. It feeds on small invertebrates and insects. The species is popular with killifish hobbyists and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banner lyretail?

The Banner lyretail has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Banner lyretail live?

The Banner lyretail lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Banner lyretail get?

The Banner lyretail grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Banner lyretail dangerous to humans?

No, the Banner lyretail is harmless to humans.

Is the Banner lyretail edible?

The Banner lyretail is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Mooistaart-killivis sourced
English name
Banner lyretail verified
Scientific name
Aphyosemion calliurum
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Aphyosemion

More from the family Nothobranchiidae

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