INDEX
KILLIFISH
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THE FISH
Killifish (A. australe)
Aphyosemion australe
| HABITS |
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These killifish can be kept in a community tank with most other similarly sized fish, although they may get 'nippy' with long-finned fish. Sometimes the males will have disagreements. Coming from Gabon and Southern Congo in West Africa, they are some of the most commonly seen of this family found in the aquaria. There is an aquarium bred 'Gold' variety, which has become very popular, while the natural variety is known as 'Chocolate'. At temperatures in the upper 70s, the fish tend to get lethargic, skulking around the bottom of the tank, thus making the normal community tank setting a heatwave for them. Males will have the occasional 'punch-up', so it is best to have either 1 male with 1 or 2 females, or a group of 3 or more pairs to dilute the aggression. It is essential that the aquarium is kept well covered as these fish may make a leap for freedom.
Text supplied by the BKA for more information about killifish, visit the British Killifish Association website at www.bka.org.uk
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| SIZE |
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These fish grow to 5 cm but will breed at half this size.
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| FOOD |
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Preferring live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, lobster eggs, or mosquito larvae, they may put up with some freeze-dried foods. See recommended sera Foods below,
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FOOD
TYPES |
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| SEXING |
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The females have shorter, more rounded, almost colourless fins and sandy brown bodies with small red dots on their flanks. 'A natural 'Chocolate' strain male is pictured above'
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| BREEDING |
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A male with 1 - 2 females in a small, well-furnished tank having soft, slightly acidic water between 68ºF and 73ºF will spawn in fine leafed plants or breeding mops. The eggs are like tiny glass beads about 1 mm in diameter. It is generally advisable to transfer the eggs to a separate tank or container holding about 5 cm depth of water taken from the parents' tank in order to prevent the risk of the adults having their offspring for lunch. The fry will hatch in 14 to 21 days and will take microworm and newly hatched brine shrimp.
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The Fish
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