Deutsche Killifisch Gemeinschaft e.V.

Killifishes, the egg-laying relatives of Guppy, Platy, Molly and Co., got their name from Dutch emigrants who called the little fish found in the small streams (Kil) in their new home in North America Kilvis.

They are colonizing most continents except Australia and Antarctica. Most species, except Lampeyes, live on the edge of smaller waters and among aquatic plants, drooping or fallen leaves of land plants and roots. They also spawn there. As these areas quickly become dry as water levels are dropping in dry season , killi eggs have a rigid shell. They are therefore very well protected against drought and can withstand some pressure. A healthy killi egg cannot be accidentally crushed between two fingers, except shortly after spawning.

Species that live in regularly low water levels for a longer period of time or completely dry out have adapted to these conditions. They are called annual species or seasonal fish. The eggs of these species take intervals in their development and can therefore survive droughts. For some eggs this can last several years. This is only possible if the eggs lie well protected in the soil. East African Nothobranchius presses itself on the ground during spawning and separates eggs with a jerky floating movement, thereby the egg is driven into the soil.

The DKG was born on May 3, 1969 when about 70 fish hobbyists met and founded the Deutsche Killifisch Gemeinschaft which very specially concentrates on Cyprinodontids, also called killifish. Already in summer 1970, a constantly increasing number of members required registration in the associations list of the city of Wiesbaden. Meanwhile our association has about 750 members worldwide. Since 1989, also the killifish friends in the new Bundesländer are members of the DKG.

Thus the DKG is the worlds second largest killifish association and one of the largest aquarium club in Germany.

We as members of the DKG defined some objectives:

The activities of our association shall foster the distribution of killifish among fish hobbyists. Through exhange of experiences, we want to give all members the occasion to widen their treasure trove of experience in this particular field of interest for maintenance and breeding of ornamental fish. It is our intention to facilitate the acquisition of a good affordable killifish stock for our members . We want to assure that once species have become available in our tanks, these do not get lost. In this respect, we advocate a reasonable species conservation and campain against the implementation of so-called "positive lists"

To achieve this and more, the DKG created certain establishments:

• Can killies be socialized?
• What is an annual killfish?
• What does non-annual mean?
• What does annual mean?
• What does semi-annual mean?
• My killies do not want to spawn?
• Which spawning substratum for non-annual killies?
• What is a Mop?
• Which spawning substratum for annual killies?

The first Study Groups inside the DKG were created in the early 1990s. The Study Groups mostly focus on but one or a few genera of killifish or even only on a species group.

Their functionality is partly slightly differing and besides others they defined the following goals:

• Exchange of specific information concerning maintenance and breeding.
• Purposeful exchange of offspring inside the Study Group in the sense of conservation reproduction for the preservation of the diversity of species and populations in the hobby.
• Information and reports concerning collecting trips.
• Mutual literary, but also scientific work with and about the fish.

Arguably the best known killie, also known under the name Cap Lopez (based on its first locality) or Prachtkärpfling.

Compared to other killies, this is a quite alert and actively swimming aquarium fish. In a community tank with not too dense population, it knows how to defend its place, however in a species tank it is simply more interesting and more attractive.

Aphyosemion australe is a quite peaceful fish that fully lets alone other kinds of animals. Only when these are too similar to itself, it might consider them opponents. Only in the rarest cases, conflicts of males go beyond display behaviour, the dominated individual soon knows when it is time to better search for shelter.

However, this species shows very strong sexual male activites against females. If possible never only a single pair should be kept, but always at least an additional female. As the latter are not always easy to get, a group of at least three pairs should be kept.

Due to the localities, we know that soft water with not too high temperatures (not more than 25°C. = 77°F) is preferred. Well, this species is quite temperature tolerant and also feels fine in water of average hardness.

For reproduction, a slightly acidic pH value is beneficial. From the moment they hatch, fry are large enough to eat brine shrimp nauplii. Under suitable water hygiene, upbringing is quite easy.