There are beautiful swimming fish called Gold Gardneri Killifish, which are great fish for small to medium-sized aquariums.
Named after a Dutch word that means a ditch or canal, their name comes from the word ‘killy’.
These fish often live along the shores of shallow water bodies such as water holes, streams, and marshes, which is an indication of their name.
Because Killifish are adapted to live in shallow waters, they tend not to grow very large, since these shallow waters are a good habitat for them.
There is no doubt that Gardneri Killifish are small fishes that grow to only be 2.5 inches in size.
The size of these plants is quite small, but their stunning coloration and patterns distinguish them from other species. There is a blue and green body and a red patch on each side of the body.
In 1911, a fish called Killifish was discovered in a tributary of the River Niger, Nigeria, containing part of the gene sequence for Gardner, who was the first person to discover and catch it.
The ornamental fish was first sold as a pet two years later. As these are beautiful fish adapted to small spaces, it was an obvious move to make use of them.
Despite the fact that Killifish are great fish, it is not always possible to obtain them.
Killifish is a species of fish that originated in Asia, which is why most fish farms are located in Asia and what is exported may not always reach all markets.
This guide will assist you in caring for Gardneri Killifish if you are lucky enough to find them in your area, as well as provide information on how to care for this magnificent fish.
Taking Care Of The Gold Gardneri Killifish
Gardneri Killifish are hardy fish that are relatively easy to take care of, but they do have specific requirements that need to be met.
In the first place, it is possible to keep them in small aquariums, but they should have a minimum capacity of 10 gallons.
A filtering system must be incorporated in order to provide clean water for them. At the same time, the aquarium filter’s output should be monitored in order to prevent adverse reactions from occurring.
The solid baffle to be added to the outflow of the water can be used if the water flow is too strong.
Getting a sponge filter may be the best option for you if you intend to breed these fish. As a matter of fact, these fish prefer soft water as well.
Considering that these fish are native to areas with dense vegetation, it is recommended that the aquarium setup comprise plenty of live plants.
A natural aquascape can be created by adding rocks and wood, and by adding driftwood to the water as well. As a result, the fish will feel more secure because there will be a lot of hiding spots for them. Killifish, especially those that are males, can also display aggressive behaviour.
The plants and hardscape in your tank should provide plenty of hiding places for your tank mates, which will reduce tension between them.
This fish is considered to be very active and agile, and it is known that they often jump out of the water.
You should therefore make sure that your aquarium is fitted with a lid that is tightly fitting.
They live in ponds or streams in the wild where they have to endure seasonal dry spells.
It is for this reason that they are often obliged to jump out of the water in order to find a better habitat.
Gardener’s Killifish Diet & Food
Known as Gardneri Killifish by name, these species feed primarily on insects and algae in their natural habitat. You can feed floated and pelleted foods to your fish in an aquarium setting.
There are a wide variety of food sources available to Killifish in their natural habitat.
The fish usually prey on small insects and crustaceans, but they also have the ability to eat plants and algae that have grown in the water holes in their surroundings.
You can feed your Killifish regularly flakes, pellets and dried food such as bloodworms in your aquarium.
The Gardneri Killifish is capable of eating live foods such as bloodworms and brine shrimps occasionally, but a week should be sufficient for them.
If you have a killifish that is a picky eater, you should start with a live food diet and gradually introduce dry food if they seem to be having difficulty eating.
A couple of times a day, a small portion of food should be fed to a killifish.
The Temperature Of The Water And The pH Level
In their natural habitats, Gardneri Killifish are hardy fish, but if you wish to keep them in an aquarium, their water temperature should range between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 degrees Celsius) with a pH range between 6.0 and 7.5.
Regular pH tests should be carried out on your aquarium to ensure that it is at an optimum level. Using a reverse osmosis apparatus or a deionized water system will permit you to adjust the pH level.
Additionally, you can also get your fish a Lower pH level naturally by using peat moss or driftwood to put in their aquariums.
In order to prevent the aquarium water from dropping below the 65 degree mark, it is necessary to monitor the temperature of the aquarium water on a regular basis.
How To Add Gold Gardneri Killifish To An Aquarium
Before releasing the Gold Gardneri Killifish into its tank you will need to acclimatize them first.
Turn off tank lights for the first 4 hours and do not feed them for 24 hours. The Drip Method or Floating method can be used to acclimatize the Killifish.
To do the Floating Method, place the bag with your fish on the water’s surface in your aquarium.
It is best to turn off or dim any aquarium or room lights. Letting the bag float on the surface will allow the water in the bag to slowly adjust to the temperature of the tank.
After 15 minutes make a small cut to the top of the bag and add about a ¼ cup of aquarium water to the bag.
Repeat this step every 4 minutes until the bag is full. After the bag is full you can release the Killifish into the tank.
For the Drip Method, you will need a clean bucket that has never had any chemicals in it (even cleaning chemicals) and a small tube you can use as a siphon.
First, leave the bag floating in the aquarium for 15 minutes in a dark or dim room. Then slowly dump the water and fish into the bucket, making sure the fish are always submerged.
Next, use your tubing to drip water from the tank to the bucket. You can use a series of loose knots to control the rate of dripping, ideally about 4-5 drips per second.
Once the water in the bucket has doubled remove half the water and repeat the process again. After it has doubled again, the fish are ready to be released into the tank.
At first, the fish may seem shy and start to hide in the plants and rocks in your aquarium.
After a couple of days, they should start to reappear and swim throughout the whole tank.
Aquarium Companions For Gold Gardneri Killifish
Killifishes of the Gardneri genus tend to be peaceful creatures and can be kept with other fish of a similar size and disposition.
There have been circumstances in the past where they showed signs of aggression and bit their fins.
For this reason, there should be great caution when adding tank mates to your aquarium.
The first thing you should keep in mind is that Killifish should only be kept with others who are of the same size and temperament as yours.
As a result, your tank mates should avoid being too colorful if you are considering having a community tank.
Fish that are bright may be regarded as a competition, and are more inclined to attack them.
There are a few possible tank mates for Gardneri Killifish, which include:
- Danios
- Barbs
- Tetras
- Corydoras
- Clown Loach
Lastly, you should take note of how many male killifish are present in the aquarium.
The level of aggression in a tank can be heightened if there is a high concentration of male killifish present.
Sometimes it is also possible to harass a female killifish to death in some cases.
Reproduction Of Gold Gardneri Killifish
You will need a tank that is at least 10 gallons in size, plenty of plants for cover as well as a sponge filter in order to create ideal conditions for breeding.
Breeding Killifish don’t require a temperature higher than 60°F (16°C) as the water should be between 16-20°C.
It is recommended that the eggshells of the Killifish be kept in a separate tank since they may be eaten by other fish in the tank once they hatch.
If you want your Killifish to breed successfully you need to feed them protein-rich food during this time.
Leaving the fish in your main aquarium for a few weeks will enable you to remove them and put them back into it afterwards.
After you remove the fish from the aquarium, you will start to see the young fry a couple of days later.
Your new fry should be fed brine shrimp and bloodworms in small portions three to four times a day when they are brand new.
You can reintroduce your new Killifish back into the community tank as soon as they have grown to the size you desire.
Video About Gold Gardneri Killifish
FAQs
Would it be a good idea to get a Gardneri Killifish?
Yes! They are relatively easy to maintain and the aquarium setup is achievable by most aquarists.
They are relatively inexpensive fish, but they will add lots of color to your tank.
They are great for fishkeepers that appreciate small beautiful fish. They are great for fishkeepers that are new to the aquarium hobby as well.
What is the maximum size of Gardneri killifish?
There is no doubt that Gardneri Killifish are small fish, as they grow to a maximum length of fewer than 2.5 inches.
There is nothing small about them, but their colorations and patterns make them stand out from the crowd.
A monochromatic body covered with a blue, green, and red pattern makes them stand out from the crowd.
What is the lifespan of this fish lasts?
Their lifespan just lasts 2 years
Annette M. Chaney is an experienced marine biologist with over 20 years of experience as an aquarist and fishkeeper. She started her first aquarium at a young age, filling it with frogs and goldfish obtained from the ten-cent pet store.
Annette grew up caring for and breeding African Cichlids, which led to a hobby in high school that doubled as a profitable means. Attending Reed College gave her time to solidify herself as an accomplished aquarium caretaker with an eye for sales. After that, from 2009 – 2013, she studied at Roger Williams University – one of the most prestigious universities for Aquaculture and Aquarium in USA. She is the founder of AquariumCircle since 2010.