Gardneri killifish (Fundulopanchax gardneri)

Gardneri Killifish (Fundulopanchax gardneri) are beautiful fish that are great for small to medium-sized aquariums.

Their name derives from the Dutch word ‘killy’ which means a ditch or canal. As their name suggests, they are often found in shallow waters such as water holes, streams, and marshes. Since they are adapted to these shallow bodies of water, Killifish generally do not grow very large.

In fact, Gardneri Killifish are small fish that grow to only 2.5 inches in size. They are small in size but characterized by their impactful coloration and patterns. They have a blue and green body, with red spots covering them.

In 1911, the Killifish were discovered in a river tributary in Nigeria and got part of its name from R. D. Gardner who was the first person to catch them. Two years later, they were sold as ornamental fish. This was an obvious move since they are beautiful fish that are adapted to small spaces.

While Killifish are awesome fish, they aren’t always readily available. Most fish farms for Killifish are located in Asia, and the fish are not always distributed to all markets.

However, if you are fortunate enough to find Gardneri Killifish in your area, this guide will show you how to care for this spectacular fish.

Gardneri Killifish are carnivores by nature and feed off insects and algae in the wild. In an aquarium setting, they can be fed flakes, pellets, and dried food.

In the wild, Killifish can have a wide variety of things to feed on. They usually eat small insects and crustaceans but they also can feed off plants and algae that can be found in their water holes. For your aquarium Killifish can be fed flakes, pellets, and dried food like bloodworms regularly.

Although Gardneri Killifish can eat live food like bloodworms and brine shrimp, make sure to keep it to about once a week. Sometimes Killifish can be picky eaters so if this is the case with your fish start with feeding them live food and gradually giving them more dry food. Killifish should be fed a small portion a couple of times a day.

Water Temperature & Ph

Gardneri Killifish are hardy fish due to their natural habitats but in an aquarium, the water temperature should be between 65 – 75 °F (18 – 24 °C) with a pH of 6.0 – 7.5.

Make sure to test the pH level of your aquarium on a regular basis. If you need to regulate the pH level you can use reverse osmosis or deionized kits. You can also use peat moss or driftwood in your aquarium to naturally lower the pH level of your fish.