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Gardneri Killifish
Fundulopanchax gardneri
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Cyprinodontiformes›Nothobranchiidae
📍 Nigeria & Cameroon, West Africa
One of the most popular and colourful killifish. Males display vivid blue-green with red spots. Hardy and readily available. Perfect introduction to the killifish hobby.
Care Guide
Diet
Gardneri killifish are strict carnivores requiring live or frozen foods as their primary diet. Offer small live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and mosquito larvae once daily, supplemented with frozen bloodworms and micro pellets. They rarely accept dry flake foods and may starve if only offered pellets.
Behavior
Males are territorial and display vibrant coloration when establishing dominance, making them engaging to observe. They are active top-dwelling fish that spend most time near the water surface hunting for food. Semi-aggressive behavior means males will chase each other and smaller fish; keeping one male per tank or providing ample space and plants is essential.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is moderately difficult but achievable with proper conditioning. Males and females should be conditioned separately on live foods for 2-3 weeks before pairing. Eggs are typically laid in fine-leaved plants or spawning mops; remove eggs to a separate container for incubation at 23-24°C, with fry becoming free-swimming in 10-14 days.
Tank Mates
Similar size and peaceful temperament; both prefer live foods and top-dwelling zones
Small, peaceful schooling fish that occupy mid-water; minimal competition for food
Bottom-dwelling algae eater with no dietary overlap; helps maintain tank cleanliness
Peaceful invertebrate that occupies different ecological niche; helps control algae
Provides shelter and spawning substrate; creates natural habitat structure
Hardy plant that provides cover without being uprooted; safe for killifish tanks
Common Diseases
Ich (White Spot Disease)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against surfaces
Raise temperature gradually to 26-27°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per 5 gallons) or commercial ich treatment for 7-10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin bases, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent changes, remove uneaten food, treat with antibacterial medication or salt baths; ensure temperature stays within 21-25°C range
Velvet Disease
Fine golden or rust-colored dust on body, rapid breathing, loss of appetite
Darken tank to reduce stress, raise temperature to 26°C, treat with copper-based medication or salt; perform daily water changes and improve aeration
Malawi Bloat (Digestive Issues)
Swollen abdomen, loss of appetite, lethargy, difficulty swimming
Feed varied live foods and avoid overfeeding; perform water changes, fast fish for 1-2 days, treat with medicated food if bacterial infection is suspected
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- diet
- carnivore/live food
- maxSize
- 2.5 inches
- minTankSize
- 10 gallons
- temperature
- 70–77°F (21–25°C)
Temperature
70–77°F
21–25°C