Aplocheilus Linneatus

[Donya]

I havn't strayed out of the marine sections for a while but here goes. A couple weeks ago I wound up with with a small Aplocheilus lineatus killi. It's currently one of only 2 fish in my 30 gallon, and is the only one of the two that doesn't hide in a cave, so it basically has the tank to itself. It's a little over 1" and looks like a female, but is that size still too small to determine the sex? Everything I've read says "small" yellow killies can't be sexed, but I don't know what size that's actually refering to. Also, I've read mixed information regarding whether the species does best being solitary or as a male/female pair. Which way is better, or does it matter?

Thanks in advance!

 

[BigC]

Male Aplochelius lineatus "Gold" will be a more intense colour than the female which will be duller in colour leaning toward a silvery gold if you get my meaning. The males unpaired fins will sometimes have red edges and are longer than the females. You may not need this but below is some personal breeding notes for the above species.

Breeding Golden Wonders Aplochelius lineatus Gold. (My Way)
So you are attempting to breed Aplochelius lineatus Gold. I would give the pair a tank of their own 18x10x10. The tank being bare except for a small air driven sponge filter, heater set to 75'F and a couple of acrylic yarn spawning mops. http/www.aquarticles.com/articles/breedi...awning_Mop.html
only 3/4 fill the tank and provide a tight fitting lid as these killifish will jump. The water is soft and slightly acidic with a pH of 6.8. The male will drive the female into the mops and adopt a stance alongside the female, the pair will then form an "S" shaped pose as the male squeezes the female into the fibres of the mop. This is followed by a slight jerk and a single egg is deposited and fertilised, then the pair release only to start the process over and over again.
(Alongside the usual staple flake I like to give this species live and frozen food)
The eggs are quite large and can withstand a fair degree of handling. Pick the eggs from the mops daily ( gently, with your fingers). and place them in a margarine tub, floated in the parent tank. Remove fungussed/unfertilised eggs daily. the fry will hatch in or around 10-14 days. They are quite large and can take newly hatched brineshrimp and microworm from the outset. Keep the adults well fed (livefoods, frozen and flake) and keep their tank clean, removing any uneaten food on a daily basis. Water changes are also an essential part of killifish husbandry and I like to change about 1/3 of the water weekly.
These fish are quite a large species easily attaining 3-4 inches in the home aquaria, they are predatory by nature, so please do not combine them with small tetras or danios etc.
I cull the runts and slower growing fishes for the simple reason of maintaing good solid stock, the smaller ones will only be bullied and subsequently killed by the larger ones. When the fry are starting to sex out you will notice a fair amount of squabbling, especially amongst the males. Take out the females and rear these seperately.
This is a nice species to breed for the novice killifish enthuasist, they present little or no problems in maintaining, breeding and the rearing of fry and present a stepping stone to go on and attempt some of the more exotic species.
I hope this was of some help to you in some form or other.
Regards
BigC

 

[Donya]

Thanks for the info! My killi has the silvery color with red fin edges...hmmm. I'll give it a while and see if the color stays constant (don't want to wind up with a male/male combination by accident, although it will probably be some time before more killies pass through the LFS).

I would give the pair a tank of their own 18x10x10. The tank being bare except for a small air driven sponge filter, heater set to 75'F and a couple of acrylic yarn spawning mops.

Do you think the 30 gallon would be too big to try breeding once I know the gender of mine for certain? It is sponge filtered, low current. It has some anacharis that my killi spends most of its time in.

Alongside the usual staple flake I like to give this species live and frozen food

So far the only thing mine will eat is flakes, but I'm trying to tempt it to eat frozen stuff. Are worms the preferred live food to use with killies? I'm still reading up on worm farming, but may set up something for it soon.

 

[BigC]

What are the dimensions of the 30 gallon. you could even use a divider.
Regards
BigC

 

[Donya]

It's about 16"x30", and 12" deep.

 

[BigC]

You could easily split it with a divider as already mentioned.

 

[Donya]

I'm still somewhat confused about determining the gender on these guys...I saw a bunch more in a store that were clearly distinguishable at under 1" it's the silver color + red fin edges that's confusing me on mine. Can females occur with red coloration on the unpaired fins, or is that limited to males?

 

[BigC]

Don't worry sexing the golden form is a great deal more difficult than sexing the normal wild variety
Males are more colourful and are slightly larger. Females do not have the same yellow colouration in the fins.The back end of the anal fin is pointed in males and more rounded in females.
We killifish fanatics usually carry a torch/flashlight. If you bag the fish in question and hold it up to a light (in this case a torch) in the female you will see eggs in the abdominal area. In your case the fish might be too young but its worth a try.
Regards
BigC

 

[Donya]

The flashlight method is a success! It's a female Now I just have to find it a mate.

 

[BigC]

Glad you got that sorted out.
Regards
BigC