INDEX
KILLIFISH
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THE FISH
Killifish (Aplocheilus dayi)
Aplocheilus dayi
| HABITS |
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Hailing from Sri Lanka, these fish are like smaller versions of Aplocheilus lineatus in their social behaviour; they are predatory to small fish while stroppy with each other. Therefore, it is better to keep them in groups of 6 or more, with a ratio of 1 male to every 1-2 females. These fish are jumpers, so a secure aquarium lid is a necessity. Water conditions are not critical, but they prefer slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.5 -7.0) water with temperatures between 70ºF and 78ºF. There are 2 subspecies: A. dayi dayi and A. dayi werneri.
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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The A. dayi dayi grows to 9 cm while the A. dayi werneri grows to 7 cm. Both species will breed at half these sizes.
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| FOOD |
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See recommended sera Foods below,
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FOOD
TYPES |
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| SEXING |
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In both subspecies, the males have flanks spangled with metallic green-blue and more pointed, colourful, unpaired fins than the females. The A. dayi werneri males can be distinguished from the dayi dayi by a series of black vertical bars on their rear flanks, while in the females' case, the opposite is true.
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| BREEDING |
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If you have a well furnished breeding tank containing about 4 gallons of water, as described above, and in the upper temperature range, a pair or trio (1 male and 2 females) should spawn readily. The transparent eggs, which are about 1.5 mm in diameter, are laid on the tops of floating or fine-leafed plants or on breeding mops and must be moved to a separate tank containing 5 cm of water from their parents' tank before the parents eat them. The fry should emerge in 12-14 days and will immediately take newly hatched brine shrimp and some finely powdered foods.
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The Fish
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