New killi for me Fp. gardneri nigerianus "Makurdi"

[bcourtright]

Hi I am a killifish owner and new to the forum!

I am about to recieve my first Killis, a pair of F. gardneri "Makurdi". I've heard they are a good "beginner" killi. I have two tanks almost fully cycled for them: one is a 10 gallon fully planted with two whitecloud minnows, an oto, and two one inch long Amano shrimp, the other is a 2.5 gallon tank cycling with a beta and two java ferns.

My questions are:

1. Is this type of killi a good community tank fish? I seen comments of other Fp species being aggressive towards other fish, being fin biters and shrimp eaters.

2. Any special plantings, peat or spawning requirements for this killi?

3. Could a couple of fancy guppies be added to the 10 gallon community tank with the killis? Are these fish compatible?

Thanks for your help.

[dageti]

Hello Brian, and welcome to the forum. Congratulations on your first killies. I don't know about that particular location, but yes, Fp. gardneri make good fish for beginners in that they are hardy, prolific, and will thrive in a relatively wide range of water conditions - with a preference for the slightly hard. They will lay eggs on the bottom or on plant/moss leaves and the eggs hatch in about 10-14 days, depending on temperature.
Sadly, they don't make as good community fishes. They will soon chase your white cloud minnows and guppies around, nip their fins and probably harass them to death. I saw an adult pair of gardneri beat up a group of 6 large rainbowfishes reducing their fins to rags, kill a Rasbora and scare the rest of the group out of their wits. All this in a spacious, heavily planted tank.
I don't mean to discourage you at all, gardneri is an attractive fish that will give you plenty of satisfactions, as it is easy to keep and breed, but it is best kept as a separate species, in pairs or trios.
I'm relatively new to killifish myself, I hope my experience will help you. Sure the other more experienced forumers will have a lot more of advice for you. Enjoy the forum and your killies,

Francesco

[timebomb]

Welcome to the forum, Brian.

The Fundulopanchax gardneri are a good Killifish for beginners. You made the right choice. Better keep the tank well-covered though; they will jump through the narrowest of gaps and at the first opportunity.

If your tank is well-planted, the Fp. gardneri's are one of the few Killifish that will breed naturally.

Besides those that Francesco mentioned, your shrimps and Otos are also in danger of being eaten.

Loh K L