killifish-the centerpiece?

[TheFighterFish]

I just picked up the MAY issue of Tropical Fish Hobbyist. The opening article talked about killifish and their rise in popularity though the development of technology. It really interested me although I have no room in my tanks.

I think the only fish that offers as much color are rainbow fish. You can almost see the entire spectrum of colors on any given killifish. But not many people have killifish and I haven't seen any offered at my lfs. I should check petsmart, I wonder if they have some?

One of the reasons why people don't buy killifish is because of its short life. Also called annual fish, I've read that they only live a year. What's really cool though is egg trading. People trade eggs and raise fry rather than trading fish. I find that really interesting, and really difficult. Think of the time spent focusing on their fish. I mean if cleaning the tank, changing the water, feeding the fish, replacing parts, trying raising eggs. Raising livebearers fry (considered to be the easiest to breed and raise) has presented a hard enough challange for me. I couldn't imagine raising killifish eggs.

The article just got me really interested. Does anyone have any experiences or stories?

I'd like to get at least one thread in this Special Interest section.

[luvsword]

one of my killi jumped out of the tank n when i found it, it was dehydrated and wriggling on the floor.. surprisingly it survived when i put in back into the tank.. it looks dead at first but after about 1 min it started to swim again...

[Seleya]

Not all killies are annuals -- Jordanella floridae, for example, live for years. I also keep Pachypanchax sakaramyi, which also are not annual fish. Killies are fascinating fish and, while many of them have very specific demands, others can be easily kept in a community tank if that's you desire.

[pp01862]

I have some Golden Wonder Killifish in my tank. They are awesome fish and I cannot watch them enough, so entertaining. They LOVE to eat. The golden wonders are not annuals, either.

[TheFighterFish]

Whoops, guess I need to do more research on the killis. Thanks for the info guys. Maybe you can post some pictures?

[pp01862]

This is what I have. Awesome fish!! Good jumpers though. Even with a good tank lid, I had one manage to get out.

http://www.thatpetplace.com/LiveFish...09/Detail.aspx

[wayne]

I've kept and bred some Fundulopanchax and Nothobranchius species, and found the first easy and fantastically colourful fish to keep. The Fundulopanchax were not annuals , the Nothobranchius were, but had amazingly rich colours. Both dealt with pretty small tanks very well.
I'msurprised they're not more popular. I see them now and again as some killi specialists deal locally thro' word of mouth and auctions. One of the best tanks I had was a big, wide, 10 litre bowl in whuch I kept a pair of Fundulopanchax gardnieri blue. Filtration was java moss and a couple of litres water change once or twice a week, I had a 25 watt heater, and lighting was by keeping iton a windowsill. it looked grat and it also had a few fry to pull out and pass on.

[luvsword]

i also had some golden wonder killi in my comm tank of angels and swordtails.. they are always on the surface of the water waiting for food.. sometimes they will chase each other around the tank and as a resukt splashing water all over.. must realli cover the tank well if not they will sure jump out.. my earlier post abt the killi jumping out n surviving is talking abt the golden wonder killi... i has all males. had 8 of them.. they are real pleasure to watch especially when feeding.. they will jump and try to reach out for the food even before u can drop the food into the water.. wat food do u feed your killi on??

[pp01862]

My golden wonder killi's will try to eat ANYTHING that drops into the water. They get regular flake food, supplemented with freeze dried baby shrimp or freeze dried plankton (both of which they enthusiastically eat). The older killis have ate shrimp pellets and also variety pellets. These fish will just eat and eat and eat ... if you let them. You are so right about them trying to get the food before it even hits the water. They look up at me, just ready and waiting. If I pinch the food and hold it in the water, they will gladly eat from my fingers. They are really great fish. I cannot say enough good things about them. I started out with 3 last year, lost 2 (1 to unknown reasons and 1 jumped), got 3 babies recently to keep the lonely adult company. The adult one actually seemed to "protect" the babies and enjoys their company.

[Osiris]

I have had 5 golden wonder killies and love them. They are great small fish. I just recently added 2 striped panchax (or sparkling panchax). They are even prettier if you can find them.