Beginners species

Aphyosemion australe
Aphyosemion australe Aphyosemion australe 'Gold'

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.

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Chromaphyosemion bivittatum "Funge"
Chromaphyosemion bivittatum 'Funge'

A fish that is very appropriate for entering the killifish hobby. It is robust, quite active and even very nice.

It is relatively well established in the hobby and it should no problem to find eggs or live specimens.

These fish eat frozen and dry food, show a wide range of adaptability when it comes to water readings, and one can keep them together with other peaceful fish.

The eggs are big enough so that even a beginner can easily detect them. Well fed specimens spawn eagerly, it is best to gather the eggs from a tuff of java moss or a wool mop, both ideally placed near the bottom of the tank. Store the eggs in moist peat and wet them after 12-14 days. Also beginners should be able to raise the fry with brine shrimp nauplii.

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Epiplatys dageti monroviae
Epiplatys dageti monroviae

One of the few killifish that one can find more frequently in pet stores is the subspecies Epiplatys dageti monroviae, a nice looking Epiplatys whose males show a yellow/reddish throat.

We want to go into details here because its close relative, E. dageti dageti, is not as widespread, despite the fact that this one would also be quite recommendable to beginners.

Floating Valliseria, but also cushons of Riccia or Pistia with their long roots are its preferred zone. Even though from time to time it checks out the median or lower zones of the tank, it spends most of its time in the upper zone. Who for instance decides to use Riccia as surface vegetation does not need to anxious for offspring, there will always be some young specimens swimming up in the tank. Even those who operate their tanks with a foam matress filter (in German HMF for "Hamburger Mattenfilter"), should not abstain from looking behind the filter matress, the consistency of that filter material equally seems to be a preferred substratum for spawning. For intense reproduction, a wool mop floating at the surface or the well known synthetic spawning fibres swimming at the surface are recommended. The fry are big enough to be fed with brine shrimp nauplii.

Epiplatys dageti monroviae is not very demanding when it comes to water chemistry, he gets along with soft to medium hard water very well. Its temperature tolerance is also very obvious, 20 - 25°C (68 - 77°F) are easily tolerated. However, in this concern we know controversal opinions because time and again a very bad sex ratio of the offspring of this Epiplatys is discussed, and experienced breeders claim temperature to be the reason. However, as this can not be scientifically proven, we abstain from detailed recommendations because ones own experience seems to be the key to success.

Unlike many other killies, this Epiplatys can be adapted to flake food, but in all cases species-appropriate feeding with surface insects like for instance Drosophila (fruit flies) is to be preferred. With their upward mouth, these fish are masters of looting flies, collemboles, and anything else that falls on the water surface of the natural habitat. Of course also mosquito larvae are taken eagerly. Frozen food is an alternative to which these fish also get well accustomed to.

All in all, this is a really lovely and easy killi that not even causes problems when maintained together with other fish species. It is not particularly quarrelsome, but it does not vanish in a community tank and knows how to defend its position.

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Epiplatys togolensis
Epiplatys togolensis CI Togo

This Epiplatys is an absolutely likeable and peaceful representative of its genus. Its high tolerance level concerning water readings and its very good social acceptance make it a first class beginners killifish. However, it should not be kept too warm, it does not like being kept at 25°C and more over a longer period of time.

The set-up of a tank for togolensis can be done with minimum efforts. If some Ceratophyllum or a few Pistia plants are given, these slightly darken the tank and eggs can be deposited in them, they are not shy at all. In case of activities near the tank, they approach curiously and even swim around the fish hobbyists finger or try to nibble.

Their nutrtion is conceivably easy, they eat all that gets in front of their snouts. They can be very quickly get used to frozen and artificial food. If flying insects like live fruitflies are given how and then, they present their outstanding hunting capabilities. Attention, please close the tank lid, otherwise all at a sudden you are holding a killie on your arm ;-). They chase flies like a pike.

They do not all like aggression inside or outside their species.

Breeding is conceivably easy. After the females have been separated from the males for only one week, the breeding attempt results in a high number of fry that can be raised without any problem. The newly hatched fry is large enough to eat brine shrimp nauplii immediately.

Regular water changes are indispensible, it cann happen that in polluted water the adults react with fungus diseases, but these can be controlled quickly by fresh water and some alder seed pods or Terminalia catappa leaves.

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Fundulopanchax gardneri
Fundulopanchax gardneri nigerianus 'Jos Plateau' Fundulopanchax gardneri 'Lafia'.jpg Fundulopanchax gardneri 'Makurdi'

Fundulopanchax gardneri is obviously one of the most robust representative of these killies - both concerning water readings and social behaviour or socialization with other species. However, this can be a disadvantage when the killifish breeders not have the necessary feeling for socialization und insufficient shelter is offered. Fp. gardneri can really suppress its tankmates!

A tank larger than 80cm should be used!

For a breeding attempt, certainly smaller tanks suffice, these should be equipped exclusively with a wool mop or peat fibres. When it comes to spawning substrate, Fp. gardneri accepts both. However, peat is preferred. In a similar way, both moist storage of the eggs and storage in water will lead to success. Fp. gardneri is a very prolific aquarium fish that reproduces willingly. With this fish chances are good to breed it extensively. Time and again some fry swim up, given that enough hiding places in the form of swimming plants, java moss, or similar plants are available.

These killies feel very fine in water of low or medium hardness, they like it slightly acidic, but there are frequent reports on alkaline water that is tolerated. Temperatures aroung 23°C can be considered ideal.

All in all, this fish is easy to maintain, whereas from time to time it can be considered a lout, and then it shows a very dominant behaviour toward its tankmates and the female partners. If one decides to keep this fish, one has a very alert tank inmate which likes to eat too much from time to time. Therefore, the one or other fast day per wook should be normal.

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Some more Chromaphyosemion and other representatives of the genera of the above-mentioned species can be named which concerning water conditions are not that challenging, but reproduce quite willingly.

However, it is not advisable for beginners to maintain Diapteron, many Rivulus, Nothobranchius, and generally very many bottom spawning species.

Among these are very many highly sensitive killies who should be kept in experienced hands that are capable of keeping these small jewels in an aquarium.


A directed question here in the forum can help to find much pleasure with killifish from the very beginnung.

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