Tropical Fish: killifish

killifish

A well-planted tank of at least 30 gallons with soft, slightly acidic water is recommended. You can add rocks and driftwood to the aquarium to provide hiding spaces, but leave plenty of space for swimming.

Killifish can be found throughout Africa, South and North America, and parts of Asia.

Most killifish prefer slightly lower temperatures than other tropical fish; it is not a good idea to mix them with tropical tankmates which demand warmer water as increasing the tank temperature can short the Killifish lifespan.

Killifish are predominantly small to medium sized fish with a cylindrical shape. Most have upturned mouths and are surface swimmers. They are not schooling fish. Although peaceful towards other tankmates some species can be aggressive towards each other. Killifish will accept most live foods such as brine shrimp, white worms, tubifex, and some dry flake and frozen foods.

Killifish exhibit interesting breeding behaviors, but many are annual and short-lived in aquaria. Although not overly difficult to keep, killifish are primarily of interest to more advanced hobbyists, particularly those wishing to breed different species.

Killifish are egg-laying fish. Because in nature many live in ephemeral waters, the eggs of most killifish can survive periods of partial dehydration. In fact, many will not develop properly unless given a certain period out of the water, known as a diapause. Killifish can be classed as either egg-hangers or bottom layers.

Egg hangers attach their eggs to plants. They live in waters that do not dry up completely and may survive several seasons. Bottom layers live in bodies of water that do dry completely and have an annual life-cycle. Their eggs survive buried in the muddy bottom of the stream until they are re-hydrated, undergoing typically two periods of diapause.

To spawn egg hanging killifish the adults should be kept in a tank with plenty of fine-leaved plants or an artificial spawning mop, while egg-buriers require a tank with a peat bottom into which the eggs are buried. The adults should be fed well with frozen foods to bring them into spawning condition. Lowering the water level somewhat will prompt spawning in some cases.

The eggs of egg-hangers develop continuously and usually hatch in two to three weeks, whereas the eggs of bottom-laying killifish can take several months to develop. These must usually be removed from the aquarium and kept in moist peat for at least four weeks. The eggs can then be hatched by returning them to soft, acidic water at a suitable temperature.

Compatibility: Tetras, Rasboras, Danios, Dwarf Gouramis, Discus, Angelfish, Rainbowfish, Livebearers, Plecos, and small Scavenger Catfish.

killifish Care:

None of these fish eat plants and they are quite well suited for planted aquaria. Killifish should not be kept with tank mates that demand very warm water, as the increased temperature will shorten their lifespan.

In general killifish prefer soft, slightly acidic water, and appreciate the addition of blackwater extract.

Because in nature many live in ephemeral waters, the eggs of most killifish can survive periods of partial dehydration. In fact, many will not develop properly unless given a certain period out of the water, known as a diapause.

Killifish Related Articles:

Paradise Fish Paradise fish can be kept with other paradise fish as juveniles, as well as with other similar-size community tankmates with the same temperature requirements. However, as they mature, males will engage in fierce battles, so only one male should be kept per aquarium.