Killifish Question

[karlp]

I have a pair of Lyretail Killifish (Aphysomium Australe) and a few weeks back an offspring appeared in their tank, it must have been skulking about for a few weeks, because it looked 3 or 4 weeks old

However, it's beginning to develop it's colour and it looks like it's going to be a male.

What's the story with this. Will the father attack the junior as it gets older ? Is it best to leave the offspring in with the parents or should I move it into the main community tank while it's still quite young ?

I have found in the past that Killis raised from young in a community tank don't tend to attack community fish like their parents.

The killi tank is a Rekord 70 and it's quite heavily planted. They share it with one black whiptail catfish.

 

[BigC]

Killifish such as Aphyosemion australe do spawn regularly in the community aquarium. Depending on your water conditions most of the eggs tend to fungus but the odd one will develop normally. I imagine you water has a pH of around 7.0 - 7.5. these are not ideal conditions for spawning australe as they should be down around 5.5 - 6.0, then you would see lots more fry. The parents will undoubtly have eaten some but there is always the one that got away, and this is what you have. but it will be a strong fish. Now as to having him in the same tank as the larger male, If the tank is densely planted then you won't have
a problem, but still keep a close eye on the situation and if you feel he is being bullied then do the obvious and remove him.
regards BigC