The second attempt with killifish (look out!)

[SQUEAK]

Now that I am settled into my new apartment, and started on my research, I've been giving some consideration to attempting to keep killifish again. After the first time failure with the A. Splendopleure pair (information can be found here), I am trying to do it right this time, essentially. Of course, comments, critical remarks, and suggestions are always welcome.

First, the basics:

5.5 gallon tank
10 watt fluorescent bulb
sponge filtration
plants: wisteria (5 stalks), rotala indica (9-10 stalks), java moss, and dwarf hairgrass

Current pictures of the tank can be found here. Please excuse the poor photography, using a camera is not part of my skill set. I'm getting better, but I'm on a film SLR, so it takes me a while to develop them.


The species list:
Ruth Warner's killifish has a number of species, although that list was last month, I will need to contact her to see about availability. I am also open to using www.aquabid.com, and other sources that are suggested.

Right now, I'm considering one or two pairs of the following species (thank you Loh K L):
FP Gardneri P-82
FP Gardneri Makurdi
FP Deltaense
Aphyosemion Australe
A. Striatum

As a note, I am leaning towards the Gardneri 'P-82' and 'Makurdi' population, however bear in mind that if I purchase from Mrs. Warner, she sells them in pairs (as opposed to 1 male, 2 females). For particularly 'active' (for lack of a better word) species, that might be a problem with tiring out the female.

Your input is appreciated. If you have experience with the preceeding species, advice on which would be good to start for a beginner in killifish would be great. Additionally, suggestions on the plants would be great - my selection is none to great I think - the tank ends up looking a bit bare.

Next on the agenda, I'm still having problems raising grindal worm cultures. I have two small tubs of them: one with spaghnum peat moss, the other with potting soil. Just how wet is the soil supposed to be? I haven't been absolutely saturating the soil, but keeping it moist. Previously, I have been feeding them oatmeal and farina (a milled grain), and just switched to using crushed flake food. However, the worms are absolutely tiny, and are producing dismal amounts.

Could someone suggest good substrates, foods, or other conditions they use to raise grindal worms? It's a bit weird failing to even keep a worm culture .


I think that's enough for now, don't you?
Thank you

[RonWill]

Peter, the setup will be good enough for at least 2prs and if you add a thick wad of moss, it can serve as spawning media and a hideout for the weaker ones.

Please convey my regards to Ruth when you're in touch with her. Get the book too! There may be genus classification not updated but it's a handy little reference.

Could someone suggest good substrates, foods, or other conditions they use to raise grindal worms? It's a bit weird failing to even keep a worm culture

Not weird at all. Grindals do best when the temp isn't too high and if you're game to experiment with alternative media, try synthetic!

Grindal culturing with synthetic media

Grindal worm cultures

Grindal Worms: What to feed them?

Keep us posted.

[SQUEAK]

Hi Ronnie,

I'm living in San Diego, CA for the next 10 weeks, and it has been about 85F (probably 27-30C most of the time). The temperature may be a bit high, but there isn't much I can do about that really - I'm back to living in a dorm for the summer. You forget just how nice it is to be able to cook your own food!

I will try using crushed fish flake for a while with the grindal worms, and then if that doesn't seem to lead anywhere, I'll give synthetic material a try.

Would there be a concern of only having two males in the such a small tank? I've always been going by the 'rule of thumb' to have odd numbers of males to try and disperse aggression - I'm a bit concerned with one of the males beating up the other male. Are you aware if any of these species display that pattern more than others? I read that the Gardneri's in general can be aggressive towards each other when trying to spawn.

I will look into getting some more moss, there is only a little bit of it on the right side of the tank. The java moss I have seems to do fine, but isn't very keen on growing. I may move a small clump of it into another tank, where the lights are brighter (and using different wavelengths of light), with the hope of stimulating some growth under those conditions - I'm sure my loaches will be happy to have it (think of Garfield the Cat romping through Jon's flowers).

Thank you, and I will send your regards to Mrs. Warner if I do contact her

[timebomb]

Right now, I'm considering the following species:
FP Gardneri P-82
FP Gardneri Makurdi
FP Deltaense

If I were you, Peter, I won't, at the same time, buy 3 species of Fundulopanchax. This is because it's very easy to get confused over their identities. The males may show distinct differences in colours and patterns but it's almost impossible to tell the females apart.

Just my opinion, of course. You may have a good method of keeping them separate but I wouldn't bet on it

Loh K L

[SQUEAK]

Loh K L,

Sorry for the confusion, I'm considering buying any one pair (or two pair) of those species. No mixing and matching for me. My first post was poorly worded, I'll edit it now.

Thank you

[stickfly]

Hi Peter,
I have two pairs of A. Australe in a tank of approx' 8 gallons ( UK ).
I find that the dominant male is constantly chasing off the other male from a clump of Java Moss that he thinks of as his ! There is never anything more aggresive though, he just doesn't want the other male around.
I'm upgrading to a larger ( 23 UK gallon ) tank next week & will be transfering the A. Australes + my 10 Corydoras Pygmaeus into the larger one. I'm then going to add another pair of Australes & see if that stops the chasing .
Regarding substrate, I'm using a white sand at the moment but will be using a darker brown sand in the new setup.
Regards...... Gary.

[SQUEAK]

Hi Gary,

Thank you for your input. I believe 8 gallons UK is approximately 10 gallons US, and 23 UK gallons will be around 28-29 gallons US. The tank that I have is approximately half the size of yours, so when the males turn around, they are very likely to see each other, and consequently chase, or possibly more aggressive behavior.

Unfortunately, as you may (or may not) be able to tell from the pictures of the tank, the planting is still pretty sparse - and I don't think the wisteria is really suited for a tank like that, it grows too tall. The planting could really use some work, it doesn't leave that much in the way of hiding spaces. I've moved some of the java moss into my 20 gallon tank, hopefully it will grow under those lights (higher wattage, lower frequency). Doesn't grow very quickly!

Thank you