Mediterranean Killifish Care Guide
Aphanius fasciatus is a small, banded Mediterranean killifish of brackish lagoons and salt marshes, tolerant of a wide salinity and temperature range.
Overview
Aphanius fasciatus is a small killifish of the family Cyprinodontidae. FishBase records a maximum of about 6.8 cm total length for males; Wikipedia notes males reach roughly 5.5 cm and females about 6 cm. Males show 10-15 dark transverse bands, while females have indistinct narrow markings.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinodontidae
- Genus: Aphanius
- Scientific name: Aphanius fasciatus
- Order: Cyprinodontiformes
Habitat
FishBase and Wikipedia describe a wide Mediterranean range spanning southern Europe (France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, Greece, Montenegro), Turkey and North Africa from Egypt westward. It is a non-migratory fish of coastal lagoons, salt marshes, river mouths, ditches and swamps, tolerating fresh, brackish and hypersaline water.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L
- Temperature: 14-26 °C (57-79 °F)
- pH: 7.5-8.5
- GH: 15-30 °dGH
- Lifespan: 2-4 years
- Setup: brackish, well-planted tank; Seriously Fish suggests 1-3 g/L marine salt
Diet
An omnivore. FishBase records feeding on invertebrates and plants; Wikipedia lists small crustaceans, plankton, insects and larvae, plus plant matter, algae and detritus. Seriously Fish describes it as a micropredator that accepts dried foods but benefits from regular live or frozen Artemia, Daphnia or bloodworm, especially when breeding.
Compatibility
Seriously Fish notes that males defend territories and that the species is unsuitable for general community aquaria. It is best kept in groups with a surplus of females (around two to three per male) so aggression is spread out.
Breeding
It is a fractional (continuous) spawner that produces eggs from April to September (Seriously Fish, Wikipedia). Eggs attach to algae or plants by filaments and hatch in about 10-15 days; fry accept Artemia nauplii once free-swimming, and fish mature within their first year.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed 2022 (per FishBase). FishBase notes the species faces pressure from habitat destruction and introduced species.