Killifish questions

[chromedome52]

If you are talking about the lower James river in Virginia, it is likely brackish water, which means the fish could also be Mummichogs, Fundulus heteroclitus. This is a species I would fine more likely to be swimming around docks and such. However, a nice photo can resolve a lot of questions.

 

[SouthAmericanCichlids]

Could I keep an unheated tank with 6 white cloud mountain minnows. And 2 male Gardneri Panchax Killifish? Though 1 would be just fine, I think they may be territorial so...

 

[Frank the Fish guy]

That could work. No problem.

 

[SouthAmericanCichlids]

With 2 males or 1? Btw this is a 10g tank with a 25g sponge filter, I forgot to say.

 

[Frank the Fish guy]

2 males might get along fine. They are not territorial fish. they might start a fight, but not to the death. I have had 2 males in a 2.5 nano and they were ok.

 

[chromedome52]

Having bred killifish for over 40 years, I can tell you that 2 male gardneri will fight in a 10 gallon tank, as they are quite territorial. One of them will lose, and be badly beaten.

A 2.5 gallon Nano tank isn't enough room for either one to see it as a suitable territory. Also, younger males are not as likely to fight, but when they mature (over 2.5-3 inches) they become much more aggressive. I would also worry about the White Clouds with an adult male.

 

[Frank the Fish guy]

I hadn't realized that my male killies were getting along only because they were in a small 2.5 tank. I have never moved them out of that. Good to know, if they were moved out to a large tank they would fight. Thanks for that chromedome!

 

[Bizarrer]

Sorry I've been AWOL for a while... Yes, I am talking about the James River in Virginia, my bad for not being more specific. Looking at a river map, the river seems to remain fresh for several miles (depending on amount of rain) until past where I spotted whatever species this is. I suppose they could be mummichogs if they can survive in freshwater, but the biggest fish I saw was about 2'' long, and I think mummichogs are a little bigger than that? By the Lower James, I actually meant below the Fall Line in Richmond, where the rapids start and it is unsafe for most boating. I will try to work on finding out what species these fish are (and getting a picture) whenever I can get back on the river.

 

[chromedome52]

Yeah, a good picture is worth a thousand words, as they say.

 

[Mandy627]

Did you ever get a look? I have a pair of banded killifish, this excited me to hear that you found some wild.

 

[Bizarrer]

Not yet, unfortunately. I didn't get a chance to get on the water again before boating season ended. I'm planning on giving it another shot this coming summer, though!