Page 173 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

KILLIFISH 171

Aphyosemion bitaeniatum Fundulopanchax gardneri Fundulopanchax sjostedti
Twin-Banded Killifish Clausen’s Steel-Blue Killie Blue Gularis

ORIGINS West Africa, occurring in coastal parts of ORIGINS West Africa, recorded in parts of Nigeria and ORIGINS West Africa, found in shallow waters in Ghana,
Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. western Cameroon. Cameroon, and Nigeria.
SIZE 2 in (5 cm). SIZE 3 in (7.5 cm). SIZE 5 in (13 cm).
DIET Live foods and prepared diets. DIET Live foods and prepared diets. DIET Live foods and prepared diets.
WATER Temperature 72–75°F (22–24°C); soft WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); soft WATER Temperature 73–79°F (23–26°C); soft
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5).
TEMPERAMENT Males can be quarrelsome. TEMPERAMENT Males are quarrelsome. TEMPERAMENT Relatively aggressive.
With their tall dorsal fin, the males of this species The color on the flanks of the Blue Gularis is
are exceptionally eye-catching. Their coloration is variable—yellowish in some individuals, as seen
variable, although red may dominate, and there below, and greenish-blue in others. Keep just one
are usually two darker stripes down the sides of male in the company of several females, and make
the body. Females are a dull brown, with less sure the tank has a peat base, since these killifish
elaborate fins. Male Twin-Banded Killifish will are substrate-spawners. Remove the adults after
fight, so they should be kept apart. House a single spawning, and carefully drain the tank before
male with two females for spawning, which removing the egg-laden peat and partially drying
usually occurs among plants. it. Refill the tank after laying a new peat base.
Dorsal fin is
Brilliant blue coloration and a variable set well back
red-spotted patterning along the body identify
the male of this species, seen below. The
female Clausen’s Steel-Blue Killie has brown
dots on its flanks and a duller coloration on the
fins.This species does not require brackish water.
Spawning in the aquarium occurs on fine-leaved Irregular
Male plants or on a spawning mop. If the tank is left full spotting Trident-shaped
of water, the fry will hatch after two weeks. caudal fin

Fundulopanchax walkeri
ISOLATION AND DIVERSITY
Walker’s Aphyosemion Stunning bluish coloration on the flanks, red spots
on the sides of the body, and yellowish fins are the Some killifish, notably members of the
ORIGINS West Africa, found in southern Ghana and key features of these fish. They spawn either among Nothobranchius and Cynolebias genera, and
southeastern Ivory Coast. plants or on a peat base. Peat with eggs buried in it a few Aphyosemion species, are known as
SIZE 2 in (5 cm). should be removed and stored in a warm place in “annual killifish,” because they die in the dry
DIET Live foods and prepared diets. a plastic bag so that it partially dries but does not season when the temporary shallow pools in
WATER Temperature 68–73°F (20–23°C); soft become powdery. After about six weeks, put the which they live evaporate. Others, including
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5). peat back into the tank. The eggs will hatch quite Lyretails, inhabit permanent bodies of water.
TEMPERAMENT Aggressive and active. rapidly, and the fry can be reared on brine shrimp. Killifish populations tend to be isolated from
one another, so these fish often display a wide
range of color morphs. The diversity that
exists within a single species can be seen by
comparing the pair of Lyretails below with the
example illustrated opposite (see bottom left).

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