MissMTS

I just set up a little 2.5 gallon tank with a pair of killifish. The problem is that they like cooler temps. There is no heater in the tank, but my apartment gets warm in this summer weather and even with the air conditioning on, the water temp rises to about 80 degrees. The fish seem happy. They are active, eating well, and rush to the front to say hello when I approach the tank. I love these little guys! Will they be okay under these conditions. If not, what should I do about it. I could move the tank to my bathroom and see if its cooler in there since the lights are off most of the day and there are no windows......

Butterfly

When it gets to be warmer weather you may have to do more frequent water changes to keep enough oxygen in that small( they really need a larger tank) tank. warmer water holds less oxygen.
Carol

MissMTS

Thanks. I'll up my water changes to twice weekly. I hope the tank is not too small. I'll up it to a 5 gallon if I need to, but these guys are tiny! They are Orange Australe Killifish. This is the info that I got from the American Killifish Association website regarding tank size:

In general, killies are kept in small aquaria, often as small as 2.5 gallons. For breeding, in particular, small tanks are preferred. Besides allowing closer observation of the fish, small tanks allow the aquarist to separate pairs and trios of different species. Most killie enthusiasts soon acquire several species, and we may as well mention here that, for the purposes of breeding, it is essential that different species, and even different strains, be kept strictly separate. Closely related species can breed and produce hybrids, but serious killie keepers strive to maintain different species in the "pure" state. Furthermore, hybrids may be infertile. Obviously, tank size must match fish size and larger fish, like Fundulopanchax sjoestedti (the Blue Gularis) require 5 or 10 gallon tanks. Larger aquaria, for example 10 or 15 gallon, or even larger, are used also for raising young fish.

What do you think? Should I get a bigger tank?

COBettaCouple

I put our trio in a 5g hex tank. The tank is on the floor to help with the temp. If you can put them in a tank with a screen to prevent jumping, leaving the top off the tank could help too. Just arrange a lamp nearby or some indirect lighting for them, since they like the subdued lighting.

MissMTS

Thanks. I'll try that. My female died shortly after I got her home. I noticed her stomach was sunken, so she was probably sick when I got her. Right now my male is by himself, though he seems happy. When I get a couple more females I'll try a 5 gallon tank. Thanks for the advice about the screen top. I'll see if I can find something to fit my tank. Maybe they'll have something in the reptiles dept. of petsmart or petco....

COBettaCouple

Sorry you lost the female, it does sound like she was sick or not fed enough before you got her.

If you can't find that screen, you might be able to take a sheet of hard plastic with holes in it from a crafts store and put it over the tank top.

MissMTS

good idea. I'll see what I can find.