Steel-blue Aphyosemion | Aphyosemion gardneri*




Killifish / Aplocheilinae / Steel-blue Aphyosemion

Profile: Steel-blue Aphyosemion
Aphyosemion filamentosum* Synonyms: Fundulopanchax gardneri, Fundulus gardneri
Physical description: An elongated fish with an up-turned mouth.   The color an pattern ranges greatly depending on the geographical population.  Two morphs are commonly available in the hobby.   The first has a bright green body with a bright bluish iridescence.  The body is marked with irregular, red spots.   The fins are similar in color to the body and the anal, caudal, and dorsal fins have single red, lateral stripes followed by a broad yellow edging.   The second variant has a virtually identical color pattern, except the back coloration is pale blue-violet.   Females of most variants are gray-brown with scattered red spots.
Size/Length: To 3" (8 cm)
Similar species: Other Aphyosemion species
Habitat: Western Africa; small ponds and pools in the savannas of Nigeria and Cameroon.
S: all
Aquarium: A tank measuring 20" (51 cm) with a capacity of 10 gallons (38 L) is sufficient. The tank should be well-planted with a partial cover of floating plants.   The substrate should be dark, preferably peat moss.  Leave an open swimming area, but also provide some shelter in the form of bog wood and rocks.   The tank should have a tight-fitting cover.
Water chemistry: pH 6-7.5 (6.5), 2-10 dH (4), 73-79°F (23-26°C)
Social behavior: Males are aggressive toward one another.   Keep one male with two or three females.  
Suggested companions: Other robust Aphyosemion species, Corydoras, Trichopsis, possibly tetras.
FOOD: Live; flying insects, insect larvae, Brine Shrimp, other crustaceans, Tubifex worms; flakes.
Sexual differences: Males are far more colorful.
Breeding techniques: Raise the water temperature to 75-81°F (24-27°C).   The eggs are scattered among fine leafed plants, or on the substrate.  These hatch after a period of 14-21 days.   The eggs can be removed and placed in peat for a period of three to four weeks.  Start feeding the fry with Artemia nauplii.
Breeding potential: 5.  A fairly easily bred fish.
Remarks: Many regional races and color variants are available, and as a result, several sub-species have been described.  There is some conflicting reports as to whether this species is an annual or non-annual.   This confusion may be warranted as possibly some races may be annuals. STYLE="mso-bidi-font-style : normal ; mso-spacerun : yes">   *Some ichthyologists suggest that Fundulopanchax gardneri is the proper scientific name of this species.
Difficulty of care: 4.  A robust Killifish.