Fundulopanchax gardneri ahli Care Guide
Fundulopanchax gardneri ahli is a hardy West African killifish from Nigeria and Cameroon, well suited to soft, neutral aquaria.
Overview
The Ahl's killifish is a form of Fundulopanchax gardneri, a West African killifish of the family Nothobranchiidae. FishBase records F. gardneri at up to 6.5 cm total length; Wikipedia notes the same maximum and that it is not strictly annual but semi-annual, with eggs that can survive a drying period yet remain viable when permanently submerged.
Taxonomy
- Family: Nothobranchiidae
- Genus: Fundulopanchax
- Scientific name: Fundulopanchax gardneri ahli
Habitat
Per Wikipedia and FishBase, F. gardneri is endemic to Nigeria and Cameroon, inhabiting tributary streams, brooks, swamps and marshes of the Cross River and Benue (lower Benue) basins across savanna and forested regions.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L (about 11 gal)
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- Lifespan: 2-3 years
Diet
A carnivorous micropredator that takes small live and frozen invertebrates such as Daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm.
Compatibility
A peaceful to lively killifish best kept with calm, similarly sized tankmates. A tight cover is essential, as this genus jumps readily.
Breeding
FishBase describes F. gardneri as a bottom spawner with roughly one month incubation. Wikipedia notes its eggs tolerate a drying period but also hatch when permanently submerged, typically within 14-21 days depending on temperature.
Conservation status
FishBase reports the species as Least Concern (assessed 2019); Wikipedia lists it as Near Threatened.