Lagos Red Killifish (Aphyosemion bivittatum "Lagos") - Tank Bred
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Species Description
The Lagos Red Killifish (Aphyosemion bivittatum "Lagos") is a beautifully patterned West African killifish known for its slender, elongated body, distinctive horizontal striping, and combination of red, blue-green, yellow, and orange coloration. The "Lagos" designation refers to the geographic locality associated with this form in Nigeria rather than simply describing its coloration. Mature males develop the most intense colors, with two characteristic dark horizontal bands accented by iridescent blue-green tones, red patterning, and yellow to orange highlights, while females display a more subdued pattern and fuller body shape.
This species may also be encountered in the killifish hobby as Chromaphyosemion bivittatum under an alternative taxonomic treatment. It should not be confused with the commonly available Gardner's Killifish (Fundulopanchax gardneri), which is a different species. Lagos Red Killifish are also non-annual killifish, meaning their natural reproductive cycle does not require the prolonged dry egg-incubation period associated with many annual African killifish.
Our Lagos Red Killifish are tank bred and offer something genuinely different for aquarists interested in West African killifish, planted aquariums, and locality-associated strains. Their manageable size, beautiful male coloration, interesting breeding behavior, and distinctive appearance make them especially rewarding for hobbyists looking to move beyond the more commonly available killifish species.
What We Love About This Fish
- Beautiful two-banded pattern accented by red, blue-green, yellow, and orange coloration, particularly in mature males.
- A genuine West African locality-associated killifish that offers something different from the more commonly available Fundulopanchax gardneri.
- Non-annual breeding biology makes reproduction approachable without the prolonged dry egg incubation associated with annual killifish.
- Tank bred for aquarium life and an especially rewarding choice for planted species-focused and carefully planned community aquariums.
Quick Care Guide
Care Level: Intermediate. Lagos Red Killifish are manageable for aquarists familiar with maintaining stable water conditions, but they deserve more specialized care than many common beginner community fish.
Temperament: Generally peaceful, with some territorial behavior possible between males. Plants, wood, and other visual barriers help provide individual territories and reduce persistent chasing.
Diet: Carnivore/Insectivore. Small live and frozen foods are particularly valuable, although tank-bred specimens may also accept appropriately sized high-quality prepared foods.
Source: Tank Bred.
Average Adult Size: Approximately 2 inches (5 cm).
Suggested Minimum Aquarium Size: 10 gallons for a pair or carefully managed small group, with additional space recommended when maintaining multiple males or a community.
Swimming Zone: Primarily upper to middle water column.
Activity Level: Moderately active. Lagos Red Killifish spend considerable time exploring vegetation, investigating potential food, and interacting with other members of their species.
Social Behavior: Pairs or small groups can be maintained with sufficient structure and cover. Multiple males require enough room and broken sight lines to establish space without constant confrontation.
Breeding: Egg layer and non-annual killifish. Eggs are deposited among fine vegetation, plant roots, or spawning mops rather than requiring a seasonal dry period.
Approximate Purchase Size: Young fish may arrive before developing their full adult coloration. Male coloration and finnage become considerably more impressive with maturity.
Important: A secure, tightly fitted lid is strongly recommended. Killifish are accomplished jumpers and can escape through surprisingly small openings.
Water Parameters
Temperature: 68°–75°F (20°–24°C). Lagos Red Killifish generally appreciate cooler tropical conditions rather than the consistently high temperatures used for many warm-water community species.
pH: Approximately 6.0–7.5. Slightly acidic to near-neutral conditions are a good target, with stability more important than chasing an exact number.
General Hardness (GH): Soft to moderately hard water is appropriate. Avoid sudden changes in mineral content.
Carbonate Hardness (KH): Low to moderate carbonate hardness is suitable provided the aquarium maintains a stable pH.
Clean water, consistent parameters, and regular partial water changes are especially important. As with many killifish, maintaining good water quality is more valuable than continually adjusting the aquarium in pursuit of a single "perfect" parameter.
Aphyosemion bivittatum is native to West-Central Africa, with populations occurring in Nigeria and Cameroon. The species is associated with permanent freshwater brooks and streams in coastal rainforest environments rather than the temporary pools commonly associated with annual African killifish.
These habitats tend to contain substantial natural structure. Overhanging vegetation, roots, submerged plant growth, leaf litter, branches, and shaded margins create sheltered areas where these relatively small fish can forage, avoid larger animals, establish territories, and reproduce.
The Lagos form is particularly interesting because locality information has long played an important role in serious killifish keeping. Maintaining locality-associated strains separately helps preserve the appearance and genetics associated with particular wild populations rather than blending different geographic forms together.
The Lagos Red Killifish is therefore more than simply another color morph developed for the aquarium trade. Its locality designation represents part of the history and identity of the fish.
A planted, somewhat shaded aquarium is an excellent way to showcase Lagos Red Killifish while recreating many of the structural features their ancestors encounter in West African forest waterways. Rather than creating a completely open display, build the aquarium around areas of cover separated by smaller swimming spaces.
Live plants should form much of the structure. Java Fern, Anubias, Cryptocoryne, aquarium mosses, and other plants that tolerate subdued lighting work especially well. Floating plants are particularly useful because their roots create overhead cover while softening the aquarium lighting. This can help the fish feel secure enough to spend more time in the open.
Driftwood can be arranged to create shaded pockets and visual barriers between males. Adding Indian Almond Leaves and other aquarium-safe botanicals creates additional cover near the substrate while encouraging the development of biofilm and giving the aquarium a more natural forest-stream appearance.
A dark substrate works beautifully with this species. Against darker surroundings, the iridescent blue-green tones, red patterning, and yellow-orange highlights of mature males become much easier to appreciate.
Leave some open swimming space between planted areas rather than filling every inch with hardscape. The goal is a structurally complex aquarium where a fish can move out of another male's sight when necessary.
Most importantly, use a secure lid and cover every opening around filters, airline tubing, and equipment cables. Killifish are excellent jumpers, and an otherwise perfect aquarium is not safe for them if there is an escape route.
The Lagos Red Killifish is naturally adapted to feeding on small animal prey available around forest waterways. Tiny aquatic invertebrates, insect larvae, crustaceans, and insects that reach the water provide the type of protein-rich foods these fish are built to exploit.
In the aquarium, a varied diet is preferable to relying on one prepared food. Live baby brine shrimp, daphnia, moina, mosquito larvae from safe cultures, grindal worms, and other appropriately sized live foods encourage natural hunting behavior and are excellent for conditioning adults.
Frozen daphnia, brine shrimp, cyclops, and similar small frozen foods provide convenient alternatives. Tank-bred Lagos Red Killifish may also accept quality flakes or small pellets, but prepared foods are best used as part of a varied diet rather than assuming every individual will immediately recognize dry food.
Several small meals are preferable to a large amount of food at once. Feeding a varied diet also becomes particularly important when conditioning adults for breeding and raising young fish.
Lagos Red Killifish can work in a carefully planned peaceful community, but they are not a fish we would simply add to any assortment of community species. Tank mates should tolerate similar water conditions, avoid aggressive feeding behavior, and be unlikely to nip fins or constantly disturb the killifish.
Norman's Lampeye (Poropanchax normani) – A small West African schooling fish that occupies open water and can complement Lagos Red Killifish in a thoughtfully designed aquarium.
Clown Killifish (Epiplatys annulatus) – Another small West African killifish that can share similar planted conditions, although adequate space and surface territory should be provided.
Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) – A small, peaceful schooling species that is unlikely to intimidate Lagos Red Killifish and appreciates a planted aquarium with subdued areas.
Pygmy Corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus) – A peaceful small catfish that primarily uses the lower portions of the aquarium, reducing competition for the areas most frequently occupied by the killifish.
Kuhli Loach (Pangio spp.) – A peaceful bottom-dweller that occupies a very different ecological niche and is most active around the substrate and sheltered areas.
Otocinclus Catfish (Otocinclus spp.) – A peaceful algae and biofilm grazer that generally ignores killifish and adds a different feeding role to a mature planted aquarium.
Avoid aggressive fish, persistent fin nippers, very large species, and extremely boisterous feeders. These fish can also be maintained in a species-focused aquarium, which is often the best option for hobbyists interested in observing natural behavior or breeding them.
With Adult Shrimp, but not shrimplet safe.
Adult Amano Shrimp and mature Neocaridina can often coexist with Lagos Red Killifish when the aquarium provides dense plants, mosses, wood, and other hiding places. Adult shrimp are generally too large to be considered normal prey.
Baby shrimp are a different matter. Lagos Red Killifish naturally hunt small aquatic invertebrates and should be expected to eat shrimplets when they encounter them. A mature planted aquarium can allow some juveniles to survive, but this is not an appropriate combination if maximizing shrimp reproduction is the goal.
Breeding Difficulty: Intermediate
Reproduction Type: Non-annual egg layer
Lagos Red Killifish do not reproduce like annual African killifish that bury eggs in substrate for a prolonged dry period. Aphyosemion bivittatum is a non-annual species whose eggs develop without requiring seasonal drying.
Adults deposit individual eggs among fine-leaved plants, floating plant roots, mosses, or artificial spawning mops. A well-conditioned pair or breeding group may deposit eggs gradually rather than producing a single large spawn.
Spawning mops are especially useful for breeders because they allow eggs to be inspected and removed without dismantling a planted aquarium. Eggs can be incubated separately to protect them from adults and improve the number of fry that survive.
Newly hatched fry require very small foods. Infusoria or other microscopic starter foods may be useful initially, followed by newly hatched baby brine shrimp and microworms as the fry become large enough to accept them.
Because this is a locality-associated killifish, breeders interested in preserving the Lagos strain should avoid crossing these fish with other Aphyosemion bivittatum populations or related species. Keeping locality lines distinct preserves the characteristics that make these fish valuable to the killifish hobby.
What is the correct scientific name for the Lagos Red Killifish?
The fish sold here as the Lagos Red Killifish is Aphyosemion bivittatum "Lagos." Some killifish literature and hobbyists place the species in the genus Chromaphyosemion, so you may also encounter the name Chromaphyosemion bivittatum. It is not Fundulopanchax gardneri.
Is the Lagos Red Killifish a Gardner's Killifish?
No. The Lagos Red Killifish (Aphyosemion bivittatum "Lagos") and Gardner's Killifish (Fundulopanchax gardneri) are different species. They should not be treated as different color varieties of the same fish.
Why is "Lagos" included in the name?
"Lagos" refers to the geographic locality associated with this population of Aphyosemion bivittatum. Locality information is particularly important in the killifish hobby because different populations of the same species can develop recognizable differences and are traditionally maintained as separate lines.
Is Lagos Red just a selectively bred red color morph?
No. Lagos Red is associated with a locality form rather than simply describing a red aquarium color morph. The locality designation is an important part of the fish's identity.
Is Aphyosemion bivittatum the same as Chromaphyosemion bivittatum?
They refer to the same species under different taxonomic treatments. The currently accepted name used here is Aphyosemion bivittatum, while Chromaphyosemion bivittatum remains widely encountered in specialist killifish literature and the aquarium hobby.
Is the Lagos Red Killifish an annual killifish?
No. Aphyosemion bivittatum is a non-annual killifish. Its eggs do not require the prolonged dry incubation period associated with annual species from temporary pools.
How large do Lagos Red Killifish get?
Lagos Red Killifish remain relatively small, generally reaching around 2 inches in adult length. Their slender body shape makes them appear especially graceful in planted aquariums.
Are male and female Lagos Red Killifish different?
Yes. Mature males develop considerably stronger coloration and more elaborate finnage. Females are generally more subdued, although they retain attractive markings and the characteristic elongated body form of the species.
Are Lagos Red Killifish good for beginners?
They are better suited to an aquarist ready to move beyond the easiest beginner species. Their care is not exceptionally difficult, but proper diet, stable water quality, a secure lid, and attention to social dynamics are important.
Do Lagos Red Killifish jump?
Yes. Lagos Red Killifish are capable jumpers. The aquarium should have a tight-fitting lid, and small gaps around filters, airline tubing, and cables should be covered.
What size aquarium does a Lagos Red Killifish need?
A 10-gallon aquarium can work for a pair when it is heavily planted and carefully maintained. Larger aquariums provide more options for maintaining groups, multiple males, or compatible community species.
Can multiple male Lagos Red Killifish live together?
They can sometimes be maintained together when sufficient space, plants, wood, and visual barriers are provided. Males may display and chase one another, so the aquarium should allow a subordinate fish to leave another male's line of sight.
Do Lagos Red Killifish need live plants?
Live plants are not absolutely mandatory, but we strongly recommend them. Plants provide security, establish territories, soften lighting, and create spawning sites, making them particularly valuable for this species.
What do Lagos Red Killifish eat?
Lagos Red Killifish prefer small animal-based foods. Daphnia, moina, baby brine shrimp, cyclops, grindal worms, and appropriately sized frozen foods are excellent choices. Tank-bred individuals may also learn to accept quality prepared foods.
Will Lagos Red Killifish eat flakes or pellets?
Many tank-bred individuals will accept appropriately sized prepared foods, but acceptance can vary. A varied diet containing live and frozen foods is preferable to relying entirely on flakes or pellets.
Can Lagos Red Killifish live with shrimp?
Adult shrimp can often coexist with Lagos Red Killifish in a mature, heavily planted aquarium. Shrimplets should be considered potential prey because these killifish naturally hunt small aquatic invertebrates.
Can Lagos Red Killifish live in a community aquarium?
Yes, provided the community is chosen around their needs. Small, peaceful species that tolerate similar conditions are preferable to aggressive fish, fin nippers, or very active feeders.
Can Lagos Red Killifish live with Bettas?
We generally would not consider Bettas an ideal first-choice companion. Both fish can occupy similar areas of the aquarium, individual temperaments vary, and fin displays can create unnecessary territorial interactions.
Can Lagos Red Killifish live with guppies?
It is possible under some conditions, but it is not our preferred combination. Guppies generally favor harder, more alkaline water and can be much more aggressive at feeding time, while Lagos Red Killifish are better suited to a calmer planted environment.
How long do Lagos Red Killifish live?
Unlike short-lived annual killifish, Lagos Red Killifish are non-annual fish and can live for several years under good aquarium conditions. Lifespan depends heavily on water quality, nutrition, temperature, genetics, and overall husbandry.
How do Lagos Red Killifish reproduce?
Lagos Red Killifish deposit eggs among vegetation, plant roots, mosses, or spawning mops. The eggs develop without requiring the extended dry incubation used for many annual killifish.
Do I need peat to breed Lagos Red Killifish?
No. A dry peat incubation period is not required for Aphyosemion bivittatum. Fine-leaved plants or spawning mops provide much more appropriate spawning media.
Are Lagos Red Killifish difficult to breed?
They are very achievable for hobbyists with some breeding experience. Conditioning the adults with live or frozen foods, providing appropriate spawning media, collecting eggs, and having appropriately sized fry foods available are the most important steps.
Should different Lagos Red Killifish populations be crossed?
We recommend maintaining documented locality populations separately whenever possible. One of the special aspects of killifish keeping is preserving distinct geographic populations rather than blending them together.
What is the difference between Lagos Red Killifish and Gardner's Killifish?
The Lagos Red Killifish is Aphyosemion bivittatum, while Gardner's Killifish is Fundulopanchax gardneri. Besides their different appearance, they represent different evolutionary lineages and locality histories and should be maintained and identified separately.
What is the difference between Lagos Red Killifish and Clown Killifish?
Lagos Red Killifish (Aphyosemion bivittatum) grow larger and develop a different elongated, two-banded color pattern. Clown Killifish (Epiplatys annulatus) remain much smaller and are recognized by their bold vertical body bands and distinctive tail pattern.
What is the difference between Lagos Red Killifish and Norman's Lampeye?
Lagos Red Killifish are colorful pair- or group-oriented killifish prized for individual male displays, while Norman's Lampeyes (Poropanchax normani) are schooling fish best known for their brilliant reflective blue eyes. They create very different displays despite both originating from West African freshwater habitats.
Why isn't my male Lagos Red Killifish as colorful as photographs of adults?
Young males often need time to mature before developing their strongest coloration. Diet, aquarium conditions, stress level, social interactions, lighting, and maturity can all influence how intensely a male displays.
What is the best aquarium setup for Lagos Red Killifish?
A mature, tightly covered aquarium with abundant live plants, floating vegetation, driftwood, subdued areas, open swimming pockets, and clean stable water provides an excellent environment. The goal should be security and structure rather than a completely open aquascape.
Who should buy the Lagos Red Killifish?
The Lagos Red Killifish is an excellent choice for aquarists interested in unusual West African fish, planted aquariums, killifish breeding, locality strains, or species that offer something beyond the more commonly available community fish. It is particularly rewarding for hobbyists who enjoy observing individual behavior and maintaining distinctive fish with a documented geographic identity.
For the safety of our animals, we only ship live fish, crabs, and select other inverts exclusively via UPS 1 Day Air. If your order contains this item, you will only see UPS 1 Day Air as a shipping option during checkout. If other items are in your cart that can ship with 2 day or standard shipping options the only shipping method you can still select is UPS 1 Day Air.
UPS 1 Day is a description of the duration of time a shipment will spend in transit once it has been shipped. This does not guarantee the package will be shipped the same or next day from which the order was placed.
Shipping Schedule for this service
Current Handling Time:
1-9 business days
Here at Aquatic Arts, we consider the welfare of the live animals we are shipping to be of the foremost importance. This process is much more involved than simply creating a shipping label and affixing it to a box. Depending on the order, it takes from 4 to 7 people to complete this process properly. We check the weather conditions here where they fly out of the Indianapolis UPS facility and the destination for each shipment. We start early each morning and go through a multi-step process to have the day's shipments prepared in time for the UPS pickup. The volume of orders in our system also affects the processing time. Therefore our stated handling time is 1-9 business days.
Shipping Rate
Pricing is by size of package needed to fill entire order and distance it must travel. It will be calculated at checkout.
Live Arrival Guarantee
We stand behind the health and quality of every fish we offer. Each Lagos Red Killifish is carefully quarantined, observed, and conditioned before shipment to help ensure it arrives healthy, active, and ready to thrive in its new aquarium.
Every fish order ships in our Aquatic Arts Live Arrival Guarantee Box at no additional charge. Each shipment is professionally packed using insulated packaging and weather-appropriate heat or cold packs when necessary to help maintain safe temperatures throughout transit.
Although Lagos Red Killifish are hardy and well adapted to aquarium life, they can be stressed by shipping and sudden changes in water conditions. A fully cycled aquarium, gentle acclimation, stable water parameters, and a secure lid will help your new fish settle in quickly and display their best coloration and natural behaviors. Following the care recommendations on this page will give your Lagos Red Killifish the best opportunity to thrive.
Every Lagos Red Killifish is backed by our 100% Live Arrival Guarantee. If your fish arrive with any issues, please complete our DOA Claim Form as soon as possible and include all required photographs and order information. This allows our Customer Support Team to review your claim and provide the fastest possible resolution.
You can access the DOA Claim Form here:
https://aquaticarts.com/pages/doa-claim
If you have questions about your order or need additional assistance, please contact us at:
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Best Fishes,
The Aquatic Arts Team
