Chocolate Aphyosemion australe - (No Online Purchases)

The Chocolate Aphyosemion australe is a selectively bred colour form of the well-known Lyretail killifish. It’s prized in the aquarium hobby for its rich brownish-red tones and elegant finnage, especially in males.

Overview

Originating from captive breeding rather than the wild, the chocolate morph retains the hardy and adaptable nature of the species. Males display elongated, lyre-shaped tails, while females are smaller and more subdued in colour.

Tank requirements

This is a relatively small and peaceful species, well suited to nano or small community aquariums.

• Tank size: From 20–40 litres (larger for groups or community setups)
• Temperature: 20–24 °C
• pH: 6.0–7.0
• Water hardness: Soft to moderately soft
• Flow: Gentle—avoid strong currents

They are excellent jumpers, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

Aquascaping

A natural, shaded environment works best:

• Dense planting with fine-leaved plants (e.g. Java moss)
• Floating plants to diffuse light
• Driftwood and leaf litter for cover
• Dark substrate to enhance colouration

They prefer subdued lighting and calm surroundings.

Behaviour and compatibility

Chocolate Aphyosemion australe are peaceful and somewhat shy.

• Best kept in pairs or small groups (1 male to 2–3 females)
• Can be kept in a calm community tank

Suitable tank mates:

• Small, peaceful fish (e.g. rasboras, small tetras)
• Shrimp (with caution—very small shrimp may be eaten)

Avoid boisterous or aggressive species, as they can be easily stressed.

Diet

They are micropredators and do best on a varied, protein-rich diet.

• Live foods (daphnia, mosquito larvae)
• Frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp)
• High-quality micro pellets or flakes

Live food is especially beneficial for colour and breeding condition.

Breeding

This species is relatively easy to breed in home aquariums.

• Egg layers (deposit eggs on plants or spawning mops)
• Eggs hatch in about 10–14 days, depending on temperature
• Adults may eat eggs, so removing them or using a separate breeding setup improves success

Fry are small and require infusoria or commercial liquid fry food initially.

Suitability

The chocolate morph is ideal for beginners to intermediate aquarists, particularly those interested in killifish. Its manageable size, peaceful nature, and ease of breeding make it a rewarding species for planted aquariums or species-only tanks.