Beginners Guide

Can killies be socialized?

Generally they can, if water readings and the distinct characters of the individuals are taken into consideration.

Also among killifish, we find both robust and shy species which can be socialized with corresponding fish.

However, if one wants to get to know ones fish with all their likeable characters and all consequences, still a species tank is recommended.

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What is an annual killfish?

This term is based on the one season, the rain season, the fish have for their entire short life.

Only a few months pass from hatching to sexual maturity.

Due to their striking reproductive scheme, they are able to sustain their population.

While the adult specimens die in the dry seasoon, their eggs outlive in the soil. With the next rain season, the new generation hatches.

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What does non-annual mean?

These killies prefer plants or other fine material as spawning substratum.

Due to the tiny little adhesive filaments on the chorion, their eggs "stick" to the substratum and develop in water.

When it comes to their reproductive behaviour and the embryonal development, these killies are not subject to seasonal dependencies.

Life span is clearly longer than that of the annual species.

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What does annual mean?

"annual" refers to fish that show a life cycle depending on the season of the year.

Localities of these fish are small ponds or ditches that only contain water during certain seasons of the year.

Here they grow up and reach sexual maturity in shortest time.

These fish species, mostly bottom spawners, do not show a particularly long lifespan.

The next generation develops in the soil and they cylce repeats itself with the beginning of the next rain season.

One particular characteristic of the egg incubation has to be emphasized. There are so-called diapauses, i.e. the egg development comes to a standstill when environmental conditions are not ideal.

However, this does not meant that the embryo dies, instead its development is paused until the corresponding environmental conditions are given again.

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What does semi-annual mean?

Like so often, also in killifish not always everything is black or white.

So there the so-called semi-annual species.

Their natural habitats can dry out, but this not necessarily a rule.

The embryos also develop in water, however a similarity to annual species can not be denied.

As spawning substratum, plants near the bottom are equally accepted, but the eggs are just slightly adhesive or non-adhesive at all.

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My killies do not want to spawn?

Certainly neither a general answer can given nor something like a cooking recipe can be published here.

But some details are worth a try.

Those who have the occasion should separate males and females for a while.

Here it can be helpful to insert a cheap transparent screen in order to partition the tank.

Roughly a period of one to two weeks shall be mentioned. This offers the occasion for the females to produce eggs.

Furthermore, a check of the killies nutrition is often illuminating.

Killies are predators and like substantial food, all kind of live food is taken eagerly.

Providing live food is less difficult than assumed. A box with Enchytraea in the dark back corner of the house, the rain water bin in the garden with black mosquito larvae and so on...

Finally the attempt to omit the one or other water change in order to perform a major water change. In this case, the temperature can easily vary a few centigrades.

The basic idea of this proceeding is that in nature killies can exist in smallest ponds and thus the stability of water conditions is not always given.

Experience has shown that they mostly react very positively to this fresh downpour which we simulate in the form of the water change.

But please show some sensibility. Too drastic changes can knock out the strongest fish.

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Which spawning substratum for non-annual killies?

Non-annual killies are commonly plant spawners.

Java moss and fine aquatic plants represent a very good spawning substratum. Equally the use of peat fibres is possible.

The easiest method consists of transferring the spawning substratum after the spawning into a smaller container filled with water from the spawning tank and to allow the fry to hatch there.

For many species, the peat fibres with the eggs can be stored humid.

If one wishes to collect the eggs in order to get an overview of their number and the embryonic development, the use of wool mops is recommended.

It is much easier to find the eggs compared to for instance java moss.

The collected eggs are then stored in water or on humid matter, thus in small containers either filled with water from the spawning tank or a cushion of moist peat.

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What is Mop?
Wool mops are recommended as spawning substratum for non-annual killies.

These tassel-like structures are preferrably made of brown or green wool.

If possible, the wool should be of artificial material (polyacrylics/polyamide) because natural wool eventually decomposes gradually when permanently stored in water.

Prior to first use, the wool should be treated with hot water and after cooling down it should be rinsed repeatedly in order to remove chemicals that might dissolve.

Additionally, used wool mops should be treated like this from time to time in order to reduce contamination of this substratum with fungus and bacteria.

These wool mops can be arranged in all regions of the spawning tank.

For species that spawn preferrably near the bottom, the wool mops are simply deposited in the tank.

For species that spawn preferrably in the central or upper parts of the tank, the mops are attached to the screen with a suction cup or a swimmer made of cork or styrofoam is attached to the mop.

A photograph of wool mops is contained in the gallery unter the category Starthilfe (Beginners Guide).

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Which spawning substratum for annual killies?

Peat is the classic spawning substratum for annual killifish. Both peat fibres, granulated peat, and peat moss can be used.

However, too coarse peat pellets should be grinded.

Eventually, fresh peat sets free too much organic matter. Therefore, fresh peat should be treated with hot water and after cooling down it should be rinsed.

This treatment has the positive side effect that the peat soaks up water more quickly and does not swim at the surface.

Attention: do not use peat treated with plant fertilizer!

Some South American annual killifish seem to be particularly sensitive toward chemicals in the peat. In that case, the above mentioned treatment should be applied repeatedly.

Additionally, for these species the peat can be mixed with clay. For that purpose, a product named ´LuvosHeilerde´can be used, availably in chemists shops.

However, also other plant fibres like coconut fibres can be used as spawning substratum.

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Installation of a killie tank

Acutally, killifish just do not care about the equipment of their aquarium.

May it be coloured gravel or sand, Anubias, Echinodorus and so on, this is primarily up to the breeders taste.

But respecting some criteria derived from the natural habitats of the fish is very important for their well-being.

We frequently find killies in small, stagnant waters or near the shores of larger waters where roots, floating plants and others offer shelter. The bottom consists of mud, leaves, sand, or stones.

As a consequence, killifish in an aquarium not really like open spaces. Hiding places in the form of aquatic plants, driftwood, or also the above leaves support their natural flight instincts.

An aquarium densely equiped with hiding places can offer an ideal environment.

Furthermore, most killifish do not really like bright tanks. Decent illumination or areas shaded by floating plants are recommended.

Many killie breeders confirm that above dark bottom the fish are less timid. One criterion that should not remain unmentioned here is the fact that under such conditions the colours are considerably more intense.

Finally the influence of humines on the well-being of these fish should be mentioned. Water that is brownish due to driftwood, peat, alder seeds and so on is essential for killifish maintenance.

The exception confirms the rule, this will be discussed elsewhere.

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Where can I purchase Killies?

There are many Regional Groups in many Federal Lands in Germany which hold regular meetings.

Breeders of the various species meet, they are certainly ready to help interested fish hobbyists with advice and fish.

A DKG Membershipis no formal condition to attend such meetings.

Information about the places where such regional groups meet can be found in the Calendar.

Besides this, one can of course ask about the nearest meeting in the Killie Forum.

Outside Germany, there are also various associations of killie breeders, but naming each of these would be somehow outside the frame of this report.

Furthermore, the Fish Exchange List of this home page should be mentioned. There one can search selectively for ones favourites, perhaps the nearest breeder is not so far away. Or one decides to purchase peat with eggs.

In this case it would be quite helpful to have some experiences with raising fry. It would be a pity if all the young fish would be lost due to a lack of knowledge.

Time and again, even some pet stores offer the more popular species.

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Can killies be socialized?

Generally they can, if water readings and the distinct characters of the individuals are taken into consideration.

Also among killifish, we find both robust and shy species which can be socialized with corresponding fish.

However, if one wants to get to know ones fish with all their likeable characters and all consequences, still a species tank is recommended.

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Social behaviour of killies?

Of course, this topic does not allow a general answer.

But for successful maintenance, it is helpful to know something about behaviour strategies that are common for the majority of species.

Killies are rarely monogamous and in many cases their are mavericks.

So prior to dominance in their natural habitats as well as in the aquarium, there are power "struggles". During this ritual, which for us aquarists is a wonderful event, the strongest male is defined. From now on, the dominant specimen does not tolerate inferior males in its zone, these are chased off immediately. Depending on the motivation, sometimes caused by external factors like a water change, this ritual is repeated time and again.

Furthermore, many killifish males chase the females very much, this means the females are often pressed hard, depending on the aggressive potential of the respective species even females not ready to spawn are attacked.

Concerning the above mentioned behaviour strategies, many killie breeders recommend keeping a male always with at least two females. Frequently, a ratio of 3 males and 5 females is considered best. Under such conditions, the resentment of the dominant male does not focus on a single specimen and if desired, the females can stay away from the males attention.

In case a requested killie is described as abrasive fish, this should really be accepted as a fact. These explanations are based on experiences made by experienced breeders who took plenty of time to get to know their fish. Sufficient availability of hiding places in the aquarium, for the case of emergeny of serious fights, even the equipment to separate the individuals, should in any case be part of your considerations.

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