Aphyosemion ogoense

Males display intense red colouring with a striking pattern of blue or turquoise spots across the body. The fins and tail are edged with blue. Males are usually larger than females. Females are duller, smaller, with smaller fins.

This species comes from equatorial Africa: it was first described from the upper Ogooué River basin in south-eastern Gabon, with its range extending north and into the Republic of the Congo. It inhabits small rivers flowing under thick tropical forest canopy, with abundant aquatic plants and natural shelter.

A peaceful and friendly fish, it should be kept only with peaceful tank mates of similar size and temperament. Any active or larger fish will force it to hide constantly. A species tank is preferable.

A group of 3–5 Aphyosemion ogoense does well in a 40 L tank. Provide dense plant growth and floating plants, plus shelter from wood, roots and branches. Use sand and/or peat-based substrate. Water should be slightly acidic with low hardness. This means you must prepare tap water before use, as direct use may be unsuitable. See the Water chemistry section for details of pH and dGH correction. Equip the tank with a heater, air pump, lighting and filter. Aphyosemion ogoense prefers dim light and no strong current. Use low- to medium-power lamps, and position the filter outlet so water flow disperses against an obstacle such as the tank wall or décor. In a stable, well-balanced tank, maintenance consists of weekly 10–13% water changes, regular gravel cleaning, and periodic glass cleaning as needed.

These fish readily accept high-quality dried foods such as flakes and granules. Supplement with live or frozen food—daphnia, brine shrimp, or bloodworm—several times a week. Feed 2–3 times daily, offering what the fish will eat in 3–5 minutes; remove all uneaten food promptly.

Breeding requires a separate spawning tank that protects the young from parents and other fish. A 20 L tank is adequate. You need only a simple sponge air-lift filter, a light, and a heater (though the latter may not be necessary if the water naturally reaches the right temperature; see below). Add a few large plants as décor. Do not use substrate—this simplifies maintenance, even though wild fish spawn in dense vegetation. Instead, lay fine mesh on the bottom to let eggs fall through. This setup protects the eggs from being eaten by the parents and makes it easy to collect them. Place a spawning pair in the tank. Cool water at 18–20°C, slightly acidic pH (6.0–6.5), and a diet of live or frozen meat foods will trigger breeding. Frequent gravel cleaning is essential: in a confined space, water fouls quickly. The female lays eggs in batches of 10–20 daily over two weeks. Gently remove each batch and transfer it to a separate container—a shallow tray with 1–2 cm of water works well—and add 1–3 drops of methylene blue depending on volume. This prevents fungal infection. Keep the tray dark and warm; eggs are light-sensitive. Incubation takes 18–22 days. You can also place eggs on moist peat and store them in darkness at the right temperature. Fry hatch in batches, not all at once. Move newly hatched fry to the spawning tank once the parents are removed. After two days, offer your first food: microscopic organisms like brine shrimp nauplii and paramecium. In the second week, switch to live or frozen brine shrimp and daphnia. As during spawning, prioritize water cleanliness. Without an effective filter, clean the spawning tank and do partial water changes at least every few days.

The best disease prevention is a stable, mature aquarium with optimal water parameters and high-quality food. Most fish health problems stem from poor conditions; check these first if trouble appears.

Buy Aphyosemion ogoense from specialist breeders, as the species is rarely stocked commercially. Healthy fish are active, have clean undamaged fins without spots or coating, and a robust body with no visible deformities. Avoid fish that look sluggish, linger at the surface, or have a sunken belly. Check that scales lie flat against the body. Look for any spots or sores on the skin. Confirm the fish do not panic when you approach the tank in the shop. Since this species is sensitive to conditions, ask the seller for the water parameters so you can acclimate your fish gradually at home.