Keeping Non-annual Killifish

The article Aphyosemion basic care and breeding (as published in NAKAJ 3(2):1-8 (2000)) can be downloaded >>here<< in PDF format (44Kb). This short article is a introduction to the care of non-annual killifish. The basic principles apply equally well with all fish that do not exhibit a non-annual life-style.

Many people find non-annual killifish difficult to work with for the simple reason that within the hobby they are portrayed as easy fish to work with. This familiarity breeds some contempt for the fish. As with annual killifish you need to pay careful attention to their needs and apply effort to breed them. Most of these fish do well in large permanent setups.

Aphyosemion striatum "Cap Esterias", Picture by Alf Persson, taken off Killinet

Most non-annuals (particularly Aphyosemion types) are very colourful. They are in general undemanding fish needing only clean water and good food. Some of the more sensitive species need cool water to thrive. They should not be fed animal protein or fats nor very rich foods. A diet of live or frozen aquatic arthropods is best. Cyclops, Daphnia and Mysis are all good eating. Many can be conditioned to take dried foods. Where ever possible dried foods should be fed as a staple with live/frozen food supplementation.

Epiplatys dageti, Photo by Bill Shenefeldt.

Good beginners fish are Aphyosemion striatum, Chromaphyosemion poliaki, Epiplatys dageti and Fundulopanchax gardneri. All these fish can be maintained and bred with little difficulty. They will need a small to medium size tank with plants and heating. The striatum will need a maximum temperature of 24ºC to do well while the others can stand higher temperatures. All three will greedily take dried foods. If in a large enough tank these fish will not molest the fry.

There are many more undemanding fish available to the budding killiphile, particularly in the USA where the various Fundulus species abound.

This page was last modified on 1 July 2004.