Clown Killifish advice needed please.

**dannydee** · 30th Sep 2010, 09:03

Hi Folks,

I have a 24" x 12" x 12" tank which I plan to keep clown killifish in. The tank is well planted, and is lit with a 11w pl light. For filtration, I have a sponge filter working in one corner of the tank. My question is this: will the fish be happy swimming about the surface, even though the bubbles from the filter create quite a bit of movement?

I want these fish to be totally happy in the tank, as eventually I would like to breed them.

Also, could I keep a small group of six be kept in the mentioned tank?

Any advice would be greatly received.

Cheers,
Dan

**RonWill** · 30th Sep 2010, 11:44

Dan,
Your description seems ok. For breeding tanks, I prefer sponge filters, especially when the P. annulatus aka Clown Killie, is extremely tiny. They feed near the surface but will forage for food once settled in.

If you don't have a tank cover, fill up as much of the surface with floating plants; frogbits, salvinia natans, etc. It makes them feel more secure and less likely to jump... most killifishes are very good jumpers!

Sexually matured specimens will spawn in the floaters' long hanging roots. Handmade yarn mops serve the same purpose. Newly bought clowns are usually pale from stress but will eventually contrast up nicely. Tannic 6 ~ 6.5pH suits them well.

and please... introduce them to a well cycled tank.

**dannydee** · 30th Sep 2010, 16:23

Hi RonWill,

Thanks for the advice, I stayed up all night after finding this site and read most of the threads concerning P. annulatus and you seem to be the man in the know, so thank you again.

I have both a lid for my tank plus floating plants, so I shouldn't loose any from jumping out. My pH is 6.8 - will that be ok?

Tank will have been cycled for six days before I add the fish. I have used the sponge from a mature tank on the filter to help speed things up. If this isn't ok, I have another tank they can go into for awhile.

Also, could you please tell me if a group of about six would be ok in a 24" x 12" x 12" tank?

Cheers,
Dan

**RonWill** · 30th Sep 2010, 17:28

Dan,
Water pH is ok but I'll worry over any week-old setup, too unstable for already stressed fishes. You might want to siphon at least half that water and replace it from your mature tank. A dose of blackwater or "ketapang juice" will help.

If you've not gotten them yet, do try and find appropriate sized food, preferably live. Nothing sadder than buying nice specimens only to have them die from hunger.

ANNs are quite petite in size and the 2footer can easily accommodate 10 pairs. I have observed that a group will usually eat better, even with new foods. I once had 40, maybe more, in a 2footer... but that's a different story!

Let us know how you get on. Good luck.

**dannydee** · 30th Sep 2010, 19:17

Once again Ronwill, thanks for the advice.

I will switch half of the water from the new tank with the existing tank today, hopefully that should do the trick.

I have live daphnia and bloodworm to start them off on. I'm waiting for a culture of drosophila melanogaster and I have dried food too. I just need another pump so I can get some brine shrimp going as well.

My plan is to have a few pairs but I will see how I manage with just two fish first.

I'll keep you posted.

**dannydee** · 29th Oct 2010, 07:08

Just thought I would post an update.

I now have five pairs, all doing well and growing incredibly quickly. They are fed a combination of live food, bloodworm and bbs being their favorite. However, they will make short work of fruit flies and daphnia, even taking a micro pellet or two at times.

The original male has turned into a stunning little fish, and I'm not just saying that because he was my first - he really has coloured up beautifully.

Anyway, hope to be breeding them in the not too distant future, as I've grown rather fond of these little fish with big personalities.

**RonWill** · 2nd Nov 2010, 01:50

Dan, thanks for the update. We're glad to know the ANNs are doing well.

5 pairs eh? I thought you said "just two fish first"!! LOL!! They're nice to watch and quite beautiful actually but I guess you realized that already.

When conditioned well on a variety of live foods, they'll spawn readily for you. Keep a watchful eye along the meniscus (of the water surface). Super tiny fry love to hang out around there, or with the rest of the lights off, shine a flash light on the water surface. ANNs, even the little ones, have a reflective spot on top of their head. You can scoop these out and raise them separately in a grow-out tank laden with microscopic goodies. Be mindful of sibling predation and do provide ample floating plants for refuge.

I'm glad to be of service but in the meantime, perhaps you might want to edit your profile to reflect country location. Sometimes, the advice we dish out is more appropriate to our local SG weather. Have fun!!

**dannydee** · 2nd Nov 2010, 02:27

Hi Ronnie,

Yeah the ANNs are great, really growing quick. With the other fish I keep, I always have a supply of live food for them. Thanks for the tip on finding the fry in the tank, hopefully I'll be fishing some out soon.

I've updated my profile, to be honest I had forgot all about it.

Anyway, I'll let you know when I have my first fry - fingers crossed it'll not be too long.

**RonWill** · 2nd Nov 2010, 07:58

Dan, don't thank me. Credit goes to Wright Huntley who taught me how to spot the little buggers as well as the word "meniscus". Have not heard from Wright or Bill Ruyle for a long time, hope they are doing ok.

Do post pics of your setup and those ANNs when time allow... I never tire from looking at ANN pics!