INDEX
KILLIFISH
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THE FISH
Killifish (Pachypanchax playfairi)
Pachypanchax playfairi
| HABITS |
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Coming from Tanzania, Zanzibar and the Seychelles, these fish are predatory towards smaller fish and should only be kept in a community aquarium if their tankmates are similar in size and have a sturdy constitution. Slow, long-finned fish will be persecuted. P. playfairi are not fussy about water conditions, preferring slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH levels of 6.8 - 7.5 and temperatures between 72ºF to 80ºF. If stressed or startled, they may attempt to leave the tank by the nearest exit, so a close-fitting lid is required.
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 reach 10 cm, but will spawn at 5 cm.
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| FOOD |
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Unfussy for killifish, they will eat almost anything as long as there is plenty of it! Live or frozen foods are preferred, though. See recommended sera Foods below,
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FOOD
TYPES |
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| SEXING |
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Males have yellowish-brown bodies with red and iridescent green-blue marks, and finely patterned fins. Their scales will stand out slightly from the body when in spawning condition. Females are sandy-brown, have shorter, almost colourless fins, and a black spot at the rear base of the dorsal fin.
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| BREEDING |
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A male with 1 or 2 females should spawn freely if kept in a well furnished breeding tank having about 4 gallons of water with the above conditions and in the upper temperature range. The transparent eggs, which are about 1.5 mm in diameter, will be laid on the tops of floating or fine-leafed plants or in breeding mops. The eggs should be moved to a separate tank containing 5 cm of water from the parents' tank, so that the adults are not tempted to eat their offspring. The fry should emerge in 12 to 14 days and will immediately take newly hatched brine shrimp.
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The Fish
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