There are about1,270 different speciesof fish falling under the Killifish designation.
They are found in Africa, Southeast Asia, and North and South America.
These are tough little fish with long, slender bodies. The largest species grows to 15 centimeters, but most killifish are 2.5 to 5 centimeters long.
Similar to viviparousGuppysorTeller, have dorsal fins close to the tail and upturned mouths for surface feeding.
Unlike livebearers, killifish are egg dispersers, meaning they release their eggs when they swim close to the substrate. Some prefer to lay their eggs on plants, while others lay their eggs directly in the sand or in the litter on the ground.
Killifish are commonblack water environmentswhich have soft and acidic water.
Most species are sexually dimorphic, meaning males and females look different. Female killifish are generally drab and expressionless in appearance, while males are showy and brightly colored.
I will only discuss the coloring of the males as they are the ones that are light colored (sorry ladies).
Killifish Yearbook
Some species of killifish live in itspring pool, ponds and lakes that form during the rainy season of a region and then disappear in the dry season.
These species, known asKillifish annual, hatch each rainy season when puddles appear, and then die each year when the water dries up.
Their eggs survive the harsh drought conditions and hatch a new generation of killifish when the water returns.
Because these fish have evolved to live in these spring tanks, they have short lifespans, typically no longer than a year.
1. Nothobranchius rachovii
common names:I notice blue, Rachovi-Killifish
Origin: Africa
maximum length: 2.5 inches (6 centimeters)
lifespan: 1 again
Description: This is a stunning little fish that is one of the most common species in the aquarium hobby. Men's Blue Nothos is a bright metallic red speckled with a metallic blue. They have prominent dorsal and anal fins covered with light blue bands.
2. Nothobranchius guentheri
common names:Red tail notho
Origin: Africa
maximum length: 2.5 inches (6 centimeters)
lifespan: 1 again
Description: The Red-tailed Notho is a close relative of the Blue Notho. The redstart has larger and more prominent anal and dorsal fins than the bluefin notho, which are mostly red rather than blue.
3. Austrolebia bellottii
common names:Argentine pearlfish
Origin: South America
maximum length: 2.75 inches (7 centimeters)
lifespan: 8 Fun
Description: The Argentine Pearlfish is really interesting. The body is mostly iridescent bluish black. Bright metallic blue spots line its sides with heavier clusters of spots on the anal, dorsal, and caudal fins.
4. Austrolebias nigripinnis
common names:Blackfin Pearlfish
Origin: South America
maximum length: 2.75 inches (7 centimeters)
lifespan: 8 Fun
Description: The blackfin pearlfish is very similar to its Argentine cousins but has slightly larger anal and dorsal fins. They have the same blue-black base color as the Argentines. But the spots on the body line up in almost continuous vertical stripes.
Killifish crescent shaped
Biannual killifish live in waters that sometimes dry up, but not every year. They have a longer shelf life of 2-5 years.
5. Fundulopanchax gardneri
common names:Retail blue lira
Origin: Africa
maximum length: 2.6 inches (6.5 centimeters)
lifespan: 2-3 years
Description:Fundulopanchax gardneriIt has a blue-green metallic body heavily mottled with bright red metallic spots. It has a lyrebird, which means it has elongated rays at the top and bottom of the caudal fin. These rays have bright yellow stripes. Similar yellow stripes mark the posterior edges of the dorsal and anal fins.
6. Procatopus nototaenia
common names:large-finned lampeye
Origin: Africa
maximum length: 2.5 inches (6 centimeters)
lifespan: 2 years
Description: The colors of a bigfin lampeye are a bit muted compared to other killifish, but they're still beautiful. The body is a light, iridescent silver color that can appear blue, green, or purple depending on the lighting. It has very noticeable anal and dorsal fins that have translucent bands of red and blue.
annual killifish
These species have evolved in permanent watercourses that do not dry up.
7. Jordanella Floridas
common names:Florida flagfish, American flagfish
Origin: North America
maximum length: inches (centimeters)
lifespan: 2-3 years
Description: The American flagfish is my absolute favorite killifish. It's actually a little difficult to describe. Their bodies are bright metallic red, but almost all of their scales are an iridescent bluish-green hue. They got their name flagfish because the pattern resembles the star field on the American flag.
8. Aphyosemion bivittatum
common names:red lyretail, two-stripe lyretail, two-strip killi
Origin: Africa
maximum length: inches (centimeters)
lifespan: 2-3 years
Description: This little gem is a spectacular fish. Their bodies are silver with an iridescent sheen. They have a series of black spots that form a rough line running from nose to tail. They have a huge paddle-shaped dorsal fin that is usually bright orange in color with black spots. It also has a lyre-like tail and a large, pointed anal fin. Beautiful!
9. Pseudepiplatys annulatus
common names: clown killifish, banded panchax
Origin: Africa
maximum length: 1.5 inches (4 centimeters)
lifespan: 3-5 years
Description: Clown killifish have black and gold bands along their bodies. Its anal and dorsal fins are usually quite small but sometimes have bright red stripes. Their tails are spade-shaped with a bright red central stripe bordered by iridescent blue.
10. Aplocheilus lineatus
common names:golden miracle, Werner's Killifish, Striped Panchax
Origin: South East Asia
maximum length: 2.5 inches (6 centimeters)
lifespan: 4 years
Description: The golden wonders are very endearing. They have these huge eyes that make them look curiously into their faces. Some are solid, shiny, iridescent gold, others have streaks or spots down the back half of their bodies. They have a small lyrebird, but otherwise their fins are fairly small.
11. Fundulopanchax sjoestedti
common names:Azul Gularis
Origin: Africa
maximum length: 5 inches (13 centimeters)
lifespan: 3-4 years
Description: The Blue Gularis is a fish with a very slender body. They are bright red in color heavily marked with metallic blue stripes and spots. But the attraction of this fish is its fins. They have huge dorsal and anal fins covered in metallic blue patterns. They have a huge, lyre-like tail that has a central stripe that's bright orange-yellow surrounded by more of the bright blue found on the other fins. It also has long, flowing pectoral fins, similar to a betta.
12. Aphiosemius striped
common names: red-striped killifish
Origin: Africa
maximum length: 2 inches (5 centimeters)
lifespan: 3-5 years
Description: The red-striped killifish has (you guessed it!) red dot stripes running from nose to tail. It has an irregular pattern of red spots and stripes along its tail, similar to many fancy guppy varieties.
13. Oryzias woworae
common names:daisy rice
Origin: South East Asia
maximum length: 1 inch (2.5 centimeters)
lifespan: 3-4 years
Description: Daisy's ricefish is much less showy than other killifish species, but still very beautiful. Their bodies are a uniform iridescent silvery color that can appear gold, blue, or green depending on the light.
14. Aphyosemion Australe
common names: goldener Lyretail, Cape Lopez Lyretail
Origin: West Africa
maximum length: 2.5 inches (6 centimeters)
lifespan: 3 years
Description:Cape Lopez Lira EinzelhandelIt has an orange body with a prominent anal fin bearing a thick black band along the trailing edge. It has a lyrebird embroidered with bright orange stripes tipped with white.
15. Simpsonichthys magnificus
common names: a magnificent killifish
Origin: South America
maximum length: 1 inch (2.5 centimeters)
lifespan: 2 years
Description: The Killi Magnificus lives up to its name. The base color is a light blue or even pink, intersected with vertical stripes across the belly of the fish. The body is covered in tons of iridescent spots. It has quite showy fins covered in beautiful iridescent blue-green patterns that really stand out.
Conclusions
I hope you have enjoyed this introduction to some of the different types of killifish available in the hobby.
These courageous fish have an almost cult following in the hobby. They are hardy little fellows that are easy to keep, easy to breed, and have some of the most amazing colors you will ever see.
Trust me, even the best HD photos don't do the Killifish justice. When you see them in person, their bright metallic flash will blow your mind.
I wish you and your fish all the best!