Killifish Care Guide: The Hidden Gems of the Freshwater Aquarium

Killifish are one of the best-kept secrets in the freshwater aquarium hobby — small, jewel-like fish with colors that rival even the most exotic marine species. With over 1,270 known species found across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, killifish offer incredible diversity for the dedicated aquarist. Here's your complete guide!

🌍 Types of Killifish

Killifish are broadly divided into two groups based on their life cycle:

• Annual killifish: Native to seasonal pools that dry up — they lay eggs in substrate that survive the dry season; adults die when the pool dries. Examples: Nothobranchius, Austrolebias
• Non-annual killifish: Live in permanent water bodies; longer-lived and easier to breed continuously. Examples: Aphyosemion, Fundulopanchax, Epiplatys

🏠 Tank Setup

• Tank size: 5–20 gallons — most killifish are small (1–3") and do well in nano tanks
• Lid: Essential — killifish are excellent jumpers!
• Filtration: Gentle sponge filter — killifish prefer very low flow
• Temperature: 68–78°F for most species
• Water: Soft, slightly acidic (pH 6.0–7.0)
• Plants: Floating plants, java moss & fine-leaved plants for cover and spawning

🍽️ Feeding

• Live foods: Baby brine shrimp, daphnia, micro worms & fruit flies
• Frozen foods: Bloodworms, brine shrimp & daphnia
• Dry foods: High-quality micro pellets as supplement
• Feed 2–3 times daily in small amounts

🐠 Breeding

• Annual species: Provide 2–3" peat moss substrate; collect & store eggs in moist peat for 1–6 months
• Non-annual species: Use spawning mops; collect eggs daily and hatch separately
• Separate fry from adults immediately

💊 Health & Wellness

Killifish are generally hardy in appropriate conditions. Common issues include ich, velvet, and bacterial infections — all linked to poor water quality. Maintain excellent water quality and avoid sudden parameter swings.

Explore our Killifish Collection for all the premium supplies these hidden gems need to thrive! 🐟