Re: [Killietalk] new to killies

[Kyle Osterholt <snakeskinnerkyle at yahoo_com>]

The golden wonder (aplocheilus lineatus) is probably the most commonly found of all killifish in pet stores.  Depending on your location, you might see some others show up here and there..  Especially if you've got some local breeders that sell some to the shops.   
   
  golden wonder's get to about 4" for females in my experiences.  They are not the most colorful of killies but nice fish either way..  I kept a group of about 6 in my 60 gallon planted community tank along with angelfish, rainbows, congo tetras and catfish..   One warning about the aplocheilus (and most other killies actually)..  If it will fit in their mouth or at least looks like it will fit in their mouth, they will try to eat it..  They are excellent at hitting anything that touches the surface, including any introduced fish..    Mine could actually catch water drops as they hit the water..  they have incredible reflexes.   
   
  I'm not sure about a bio-tope but they will eat prettymuch anything but prefer to feed from the surface..  As for tankmates, they are not overly aggressive although I would avoid any surface fish such as hatchets or other killies..  If they are smaller than the golden wonders, they could be bullied pretty bad..  Like I mentioned before, avoid any small fish like small tetras, threadfin rainbows (I know from experience), blue-eyed rainbows, etc..   They are also succeptable to fin nippers so I'd avoid nippy barbs, goodeids and similar fishes.   
   
  the more room the better really..  I bred a pair in a 5.5 gallon but they definitely didn't like the tank much..  Of course pulling them from the 60 didn't help :)    
   
  Get ahold of a local aquarium club (I Know there's one in Atlanta if not closer), there will surely be some killie people in the club or at least someone who can point you in the right direction.   One good thing with killies is you can commonly find eggs to buy..  this saves on shipping costs tremendously.  check out aquabid.com or even ebay..  there is also the AKA fish and egg list if you become a member and there are tons of people in the AKA that are more than willing to help out a newcomer with eggs, fish or advice..  
   
  enjoy, Kyle


Kyle Osterholt

 
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