Killifish

[DRD1812]

I was in a Fish Shop lookin at all the cute fish (there was a gorgeous molly orange and black with massive fins it was beautiful) when I noticed a tank full of fish I'd never heard about 'Killifish' and instantly I wanted 1 but because I have no idea what there like I didn't get one.

I just want to know what kind of fish they are etc (thought I'd ask you lot first aren't you lucky ). For instance are they likely to kill my other fish are they best kept in pairs if I get a male and a female will they kill like betta's will they rip other fishies fins to shreds etc. Just the little ins and outs basically can I have some please please please with a female betta platies a khuli loach and will I not be able to buy anything to put in with them. Thanks in advance.

 

[cometcattle]

It all depends on what kind of killies they are. Some are suitable for community tanks, and some should only be kept in a species tank. If you can find out what Killies they are, I can probably help you.

The most commonly seen in stores are Golden Wonder Panchax:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=34983

Here's some more killie sites:

http/www.aka.org/
http/www.bka.org.uk/index.php
http/www.killifish.f9.co.uk/Killifish/Ki...bsite/Index.htm

 

[DRD1812]

No they were more like killifish I'll have a look again later when I go in again to stare at the cute killifish.

 

[melleth]

Ok I still have a lot to learn myself but here is my Killi experience.

I have a gold wonder male. He is now almost 2 years old which I hear is long lived for killies. He is so prety and I want to get some females for him to hang out with.
I have him in an 80 gal community tank with tetras danios and goramies. He gets along well with everyone and prety much hovers at the surface waiting for things to drop in.
Killies like to feed right at the surface so they prefer things that float. Mine loves ocean plankton, baby guppies, flies, tubifex.
I understand that gold wonders are fairly easy to keep and breed and I want to try breeding them eventually.
I am also interested in finding and keeping some other types of killies but I know that some can be very picky about conditions.

Killies are ditch fish, that is they breed in shallow roadside ditches that dry up and the sggs survive this drying out and hatch when the rain reflls the ditch. They like live food best, feed at the surface and breed in mops rather easily. Some prefer to be in a dark tank. They have not been popular or common in spite of their beauty mostly because they are considered seasonal or short lived fish.

I'm sure there is a lot more for me to learn yet. I had seen pics of killies as a kid and always wanted to have them but never saw them in fish stores untill just 3 years ago.

 

[melleth]

Ok I still have a lot to learn myself but here is my Killi experience.

I have a gold wonder male. He is now almost 2 years old which I hear is long lived for killies. He is so prety and I want to get some females for him to hang out with.
I have him in an 80 gal community tank with tetras danios and goramies. He gets along well with everyone and prety much hovers at the surface waiting for things to drop in.
Killies like to feed right at the surface so they prefer things that float. Mine loves ocean plankton, baby guppies, flies, tubifex.
I understand that gold wonders are fairly easy to keep and breed and I want to try breeding them eventually.
I am also interested in finding and keeping some other types of killies but I know that some can be very picky about conditions.

Killies are ditch fish, that is they breed in shallow roadside ditches that dry up and the sggs survive this drying out and hatch when the rain reflls the ditch. They like live food best, feed at the surface and breed in mops rather easily. Some prefer to be in a dark tank. They have not been popular or common in spite of their beauty mostly because they are considered seasonal or short lived fish.

oh dear i seem to habe dounble posted this. Someone please help and delete one? Don't know how that happened.

I'm sure there is a lot more for me to learn yet. I had seen pics of killies as a kid and always wanted to have them but never saw them in fish stores untill just 3 years ago.

 

[DRD1812]

Well I asked in the store (bad idea I know lol there advise isn't always the most reliable) and asked if there alright with other fish and he said what other fish n i said platies n bettas n he sed yeah sure.

I'm wanting in the end to also have a khuli loach some more platies maybe a molly or 2 and maybe a danio.

Would they be alright with them?

 

[DRD1812]

Hello help anyone?

 

[melleth]

Hi sorry been a bussy couple of days.
My Killi is fine with the other fish as long as they are not big enough for him to swallow. He does not bother the others at all not even nipping fins but he eats the guppy fry as soon as he sees them.

We have several very good fish stores in my area and they seem to indicate that the Gold Wonders are ok in community tanks. They get to be about 2.5 inches. (at least that is the size of my male.)
So mollies should be ok with them. I'm sure loaches would also but I don't know much about them.

 

[DRD1812]

Alright since there's only one person willing to try and help me figure out if my fish will die if I get some I'm gunna try it and find out but if they die on all your heads (except melleths) be it. thank you melleth for trying to help best you could. any more information about feeding habbits mating rituals lol and habbitat will be much appriciated.

 

[copeina]

Alright since there's only one person willing to try and help me figure out if my fish will die if I get some I'm gunna try it and find out but if they die on all your heads (except melleths) be it. thank you melleth for trying to help best you could. any more information about feeding habbits mating rituals lol and habbitat will be much appriciated.

Hold on a sec while we all rush to your aide. Better yet, hold your breath.

 

[SirMinion]

I could post some info if it makes you happy, but I'd have to make it all up, because I know next to nothing about killis.

Maybe that's why no one else has posted.

Wouldn't you rather have no information rather than bad information?

 

[melleth]

Ok ok take it easy.
The problem is that not many people keep killies so not many people know much about them. Fortunaltly I have a book that tells a lot about them. try this website for more info
http/www.killi.net/start.html

Killies like slightly acid water about ph 6.8. One of the reasons I got interested in them as my water is naturally acid.
Killies prefer live food such as mosquito larva, but they will take flakes too. They feed at the surface so the food needs to float.
Killies hang their eggs in spawning mops. The eggs hatch in 8-14 days depending on the species. Eggs can be handled and are fairly tough. They can even withstand being dried out.
Putting two killies in a tank with spawining material will almost guaruntee they will breed. They are very easy to breed.
Fry should be fed infusoria for a few days but will get big enough to handle baby brine shrimp fairly quickly.

Hope this helps. If you have any more things you need to know post your question and I'll help you find the answer.

 

[DRD1812]

I got 2 and they seem pretty much like they've been there years already lol. Me female betta seems to be a little violent towards the male but i think its cos he looks like her lol. They are sooo cute as soon as I can the little buggers to hold still long enough for a good pick I'll post some. Wish me look .

Also can anyone help with this Molly Offspring