Do Killifish Shoal?

[youngfisher]

Ok, well after looking at what different species BigC has, I have started thinking about keeping some. I love the Aphyosemion elberti purely because of the colors. So im wondering do they shoal? Also what are there agression issues are like. I know I could research, but personally I think peoples opinions are more accurate to what a book/website on killifish say. So just them two questions, also can you mix killifish species? The reason I ask is because I have a 95ltr currently stocked with a jewel cichlid pair, but I want to transer it to a tank with a few killifish and a possibly some corys/a plec. I would have them with bogwood and a couple of plants.

YF

 

[BigC]

Hi Yf,
I can see you are now developing an interest in Killifish,
To answer your questions first. Killifish in the main do not shoal there are a few egglaying toothcarps that do but most dont.
Most folks think the killifish name is derived from the verb to "kill". Nothing could be further from the truth, the name comes from old Dutch settlers who found these type of fishes in small streams/ditches and watercourses the Dutch word for these bodies of water was kils. so in actual fact what you mean by the wording killifish is "a fish from the kils".
Now thats cleared up.
I have a little Boyu tank in my system which I want to turn into a fully pressurised CO2 set-up complete with plants Its only a small tank around 30ltrs
I am going to plant this out with a few species of aquatic plant and use chemical ferts. I am hoping to have a small group of Ps. annulatus Monrovia and some Corydoras habrosus. This will be my little display aquaria as a little added interest to the actual breeding side of things. Your tank would perhaps be on the large side for killifish really so I would adopt something a little smaller. Please also be aware that water conditions and dietary habits would be a factor when attaining fish from a breeder. Most breeders would use flake as a secondary food as most killifish would not take to it very well.
If I were you I'd go for the Fundulopanchax gardneri sp. to begin with and build from there.
ATB
C

 

[youngfisher]

Wow, so my tank is actually to big for these? Is there no way I could make it work?

YF

 

[BigC]

You can make anything work.
IMHO you'd be better with a smaller tank as larger ones just dont hold the same appeal visually.
Keep killifish over a dark base with subdued lighting (choose your planting scheme around this)
Too much light washes out the colouration.
Dont let me put you off, its only a suggestion. Always remember to cover all exits as killifish are excellent jumpers
ATB
C

 

[youngfisher]

Would a 40l be better? as I just thought im setting an arcadia arc in my girlfriends room, so I could make a nice little planted tank with killifish for it?

YF

 

[bae1994]

these are awsome

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/KILLIFISH-FUNDULOPAN...id=p3286.c0.m14

 

[tropic_john]

Soz to hijack YF, this is a question mainly for BigC, Can you keep annual killi's eggs in storage for longer than normal [buying them, then hydrating and hatching them straight away]? Also, is it possible to buy non-annual killi's eggs and store them, or do they need to be hydrated ASAP?

Thanks,

John.

 

[BigC]

Would a 40l be better? as I just thought im setting an arcadia arc in my girlfriends room, so I could make a nice little planted tank with killifish for it?

Better than your original intentions. Pick a species and research

Soz to hijack YF, this is a question mainly for BigC, Can you keep annual killi's eggs in storage for longer than normal [buying them, then hydrating and hatching them straight away]? Also, is it possible to buy non-annual killi's eggs and store them, or do they need to be hydrated ASAP?

Pretty much species specific M8.
Let me know what you have in mind.
ATB
C