Page 176 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

174 FRESHWATER FISH DIRECTORY

Epiplatys fasciolatus
UNUSUAL KILLIFISH
Orange Panchax
Killifish are seen less often in aquatic outlets is the Blue Tanganyika Killifish (Lamprichthys
than other groups of fish, simply because their tanganicanus). While most killifish live in ORIGINS West Africa, occurring in Liberia, Nigeria, and
reproductive cycle makes it unprofitable to farm temporary pools with relatively soft, acidic Sierra Leone.
them commercially in large numbers. Instead, water, this species inhabits Lake Tanganyika, SIZE 3 ⁄4 in (8 cm).
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killifish are most often available as eggs, which where the water is very hard and alkaline. The DIET Live foods and prepared foods.
enthusiasts trade among themselves. For this Blue Tanganyika is the largest of all the African WATER Temperature 73–82°F (23–28°C); soft
reason, some odd varieties, with anomalous killifish, with males reaching 5 ⁄2 in (13 cm) long. (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0).
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requirements, are sometimes seen. One example It lives in schools around the lake’s rocky shores. TEMPERAMENT Relatively peaceful.
These killifish do not display any well-defined
pattern of banding. Males have red and greenish
speckling on their bodies, with some populations
being more colorful than others. Females are
a much duller shade of yellowish-brown, with
a rounded rather than elongated caudal fin.
These killifish require a well-planted aquarium
and will spawn among vegetation, such as moss.
Orange Panchax may be persuaded to take flake
sprinkled on the surface.

Male
Anal and
Females have dorsal fins
transparent fins set well back

Austrolebias adloffi Austrolebias alexandri
Banded Pearlfish About 10 vertical dark bands run down the Entre Rios Pearlfish
greenish-gray body of the male Banded Pearlfish.
ORIGINS South America, in the lowlands between The male’s dorsal and anal fins are more pointed ORIGINS South America, in southern Brazil, western
southern Brazil and eastern Uruguay. than those of the female, whose coloration is made Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina.
SIZE 2 in (5 cm). up of dark blotches on a brown background. Less SIZE 2 in (5 cm).
DIET Small live foods and prepared foods. aggressive than some related pearlfish, this species DIET Small live foods and prepared foods.
WATER Temperature 68–75°F (20–24°C); hard may spawn almost continually, so a removable WATER Temperature 68–75°F (20–24°C); hard
(100–150 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0). peat tray is useful. The eggs will hatch after being (100–150 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0).
TEMPERAMENT Males aggressive to unresponsive females. out of the water for eight weeks. TEMPERAMENT Can be aggressive.

Males are more brightly colored than females,
with a yellowish-green body color and vertical
bars along the flanks. In females, the body is
blotched with brown and black. A red-eyed,
pink-bodied strain also exists, in which the
males have darker pink barring on the body and
pale spotted fins. Although these pearlfish prefer
small live foods, they may also be persuaded to
sample flaked foods quite readily.

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