Killifish
A group defined by how it survives water that disappears. Some are annual and live about a year by design; others are not, and the difference decides whether a death at twelve months is a failure or a life.
10 species, separated by adult size. Part of the freshwater fish catalogue.
Nano — under 4 cm (1)
Small enough for tanks under 60 cm, and usually needing larger groups than their size suggests.
Small — 4 to 8 cm (6)
The core of most community tanks.
- American flagfishJordanella floridae6 cmUndemanding
- Blue lyretail killifishFundulopanchax gardneri6.5 cmModerate
- Bluefin nothoNothobranchius rachovii5.5 cmSpecialist
- Guenther's nothoNothobranchius guentheri6 cmSpecialist
- Lyretail killifishAphyosemion australe6 cmModerate
- Red-chinned panchaxEpiplatys dageti6 cmUndemanding
Medium — 8 to 15 cm (3)
Needs real swimming length. Frequently sold as juveniles into tanks that will not suit the adult.