killifish-the centerpiece?

TheFighterFish

TheFighterFish

Large Fish
#1
Feb 10, 2006
854
2
0
Bay Area, CA
#1
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. *thumbsups
 

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luvsword

New Fish
#2
May 6, 2006
9
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0
#2
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

Seleya

Superstar Fish
#3
Nov 22, 2004
1,384
3
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59
Cape Cod, MA
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#3
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.
 

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pp01862

Small Fish
#4
May 3, 2006
33
0
0
USA
#4
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.
 

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wayne

Elite Fish
#7
Oct 22, 2002
4,077
3
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#7
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.
 

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luvsword

New Fish
#8
May 6, 2006
9
0
0
#8
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??
 

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pp01862

Small Fish
#9
May 3, 2006
33
0
0
USA
#9
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.
 

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pp01862

Small Fish
#11
May 3, 2006
33
0
0
USA
#11
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luvsword

New Fish
#13
May 6, 2006
9
0
0
#13
do u guys have the problem of them fighting with each other?? i started with 2 and they are constantly chasing each other n the smaller one is always hiding from the bigger one.. after seeing wat happened decided to get more hoping tat they will not chase each other around and it realli work out well. planning to get some females.. my biggest male is abt 3 inches... can they be cross bred with the stripped ones??
 

hyunelan2

hyunelan2

Large Fish
#14
Jun 1, 2005
684
1
0
44
Near Chicago, IL
#14
Here's a good intro article to Killifish. I have 4 Golden-Wonders in with my Rainbows in my 46g tank. They have definately made me rethink rainbows being my favorite fish. I am planning on getting some other varieties for another tank.

Here is a good intro to killifish article: http://fish.mongabay.com/killifish.htm

Also, annuals are not called annuals because they only live one year (although that's all they get in the wild). It is because they are born, mature, reproduce, and die in one annual seasonal cycle. They are able to live longer than 1-year in an aquarium where the water doesn't dry up every summer - but probably only 2-3 years MAX.
 

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pp01862

Small Fish
#15
May 3, 2006
33
0
0
USA
#15
Great article, hyunelan2. Thank you.

I have not noticed much aggression between my golden wonders. I think my 75 gallon gives them all their own space when need be, although they seem to enjoy each other's company.
 

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