Steel-blue Killifish

Fundulopanchax gardneri is arguably the most widely kept killifish worldwide, appreciated for its hardiness, adaptability, and spectacular colouration. Males sport metallic steel-blue bodies overlaid with red and yellow spots, while the fins display vivid yellow edging. Multiple geographic variants are available, each with slightly different colour expressions. It is tolerant of a wider range of water conditions than most killifish.

Water: 22–26 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, soft to moderately hard; quite adaptable. Tank: 40 L species tank or soft-water community; spawning mops; tight lid essential. Feeding: Live and frozen Daphnia, Artemia; dried foods readily accepted. Behaviour: Males chase rivals and can pester females; keep trios or add more females. Compatibility: Good community fish with peaceful species of similar size; avoid tiny nano fish.