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Morphology: Lifespan & Breeding
Amongst killifish
enthusiast, a killifish’s lifespan, aquarium husbandry and
reproductive profiles are all loosely connected as it pertains to
breeding techniques and the post incubation handling of the eggs.
Generally speaking; killifish can typically be placed into these
following
informal reproductive/husbandry categories:
· Annuals:
the “annual” killifishes are typically from habitats characterized
by alternating periods of extreme seasonal precipitation changes.
The annual killifish’s life spans and egg incubation times are
adapted by the temporary nature of these aquatic habitats. Typically
the life spans are comparatively shorter (reflecting the shorter
period when the water is present), while the egg incubation periods
are longer (reflecting the time when the pool, lake or river is
dry).
o
Life span: 4-18 months
o
Incubation times vary, and
are usually temperature dependant; 4-6 weeks to over 9-12months. See
incubation Tables for more
information
o
Incubation medium: usually
peat or equivalent
o
Breeding method:
bottom/substrate spawning
Genera kept by killifish enthusiast are
typified by, but not limited to:
o
Nothobranchius:
(the Nothos) small colorful
killifishes from Sub-Saharan East and southern Africa
o
Austrolebias: small
killifishes from South America, many living in cooler/temperate
regions of the continent
o
Simpsonicthys:
loosely, the South American equivalent to the nothos. Many are
ornate and colorful
o
Northern South American
Annuals: there are several genera represented by this loose
collection. Some have comparatively longer incubation times;
oftentimes the eggs being less tolerable to lower temperature
extremes. Some genus belonging to this group include: Pterolebias,
rachovia and micromoema, with all having representatives available
in the hobby.
· Semi-Annuals:
the West African genus Fundulopanchax is the typical representative
of this group. This group of killifishes is called semi-annual
because the lifespan, reproductive mode, breeding and egg handling
can vary between that of the substrate spawning annual killifishes
to plant/mop/water incubation mode of the “non-Annual” killifishes.
o Lifespan:
6-36 months (with arnoldi, delteanse and fallax being more “annual”,
and some like FP.gardneri living over 30+ months
o
Incubation period: can be
as short as 16 days in water for gardneri, to over 6 months for more
“annual” species
o
Incubation medium: peat or equivalent can almost universally be
used to store eggs, with some species eggs being able to be
incubated in water: sjoestedi, gardneri, oeseri, amieti scheeli and
others
o
Breeding method: almost
all members of this group can be “substrate breeders” using peat or
similar material. A large percentage can be “switch spawners” and
use plants or mops for depositing eggs
· Non-annual
Killifish: these killifishes usually hail from permanent aquatic
habitats. The longer lifespan and reproductive mode is adapted to
reflect this distinction. The West African genus Aphyosemion is
typical of this group, with the genera Rivulus and Fundulus being
roughly the New World parallel. Also representative of this group
are the African genera Epiplatys, the almost tetra like “Lampeye”
genera Aplocheilicthys, and the Asian/African “Panchax”
types (Golden wonders and Playfairs Panchax, et.)
o
Lifespan: Typicaly 12+
months, with 3-4+yrs not being unrealistic for some species
o Incubation
period: usually comparatively short: 7-10 days is possible for some
of the chomeaphyosemions in
warmer water, and 14-21 days representing some of the species
represented here.
o Incubation
medium: eggs typically are almost always submerged in water, with
peat or equivalent as a medium being totally feasible for many
aphyosemions (like A.australe)
o Breeding
method: almost all members of this group can use plants or mops for
depositing eggs. Some of the Lampeyes are referred to as “crevice
spawning” fishes, preferring to locate tighter/smaller spaces to
deposit eggs (sponges, bound yarn, et.)
*note, some of the lampeye eggs have a
higher success rate when place in a higher circulation/higher oxygen
setting
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