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Contents
Overview
The gardneri killifish is probably the best killi to start with. It comes from streams and swampy pools in Nigeria and Cameroon, and males show a steel-blue to greenish body peppered with red spots, with fins edged in yellow or orange depending on the population (Akure, Nsukka, Udi and others). Females are brownish and far more modest.
Unlike annual killifish, it does not rely on its pool drying out: it is a non-annual species that lives around three years and adapts well to a range of water types. Hobbyists love it for its color, its curious personality and how easily it breeds at home. It is a fine choice for a small, heavily planted species tank and for anyone who wants something different from the usual store fish.
Care and tank setup
A 10-gallon (40 L) tank is enough for a trio (one male, two females). The most important item is a tight-fitting lid: killifish are expert jumpers and will find even small cable gaps.
- Water: soft to moderately hard is fine; what matters is clean, stable water with 20-30% weekly changes.
- Flow: gentle. A sponge filter is ideal.
- Decor: plenty of plants, Java moss, floating plants to dim the light and a dark substrate. Under subdued lighting the males' colors really pop.
Males are territorial toward each other, so keep just one male in a small tank. It can live with small, calm fish such as micro rasboras or pygmy corydoras, but it looks its best in a species tank. It will eat fry and baby shrimp and may harass small adult shrimp. A common mistake is housing it with fast, greedy fish that grab all the food first.
Feeding
This is a predator of small invertebrates. It relishes mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, daphnia and grindal worms, live or frozen. Many captive-bred fish also take small pellets and quality flakes, although some refuse them at first. Offer small portions once or twice a day and remove leftovers from the bottom, because uneaten frozen food fouls a small tank quickly.
Breeding
It is one of the easiest killifish to breed. Females lay eggs one at a time in moss, floating-plant roots or an acrylic yarn spawning mop. Eggs take about two to three weeks to hatch: you can move the mop to a separate container or let a few fry grow up in a densely planted tank. Fry take baby brine shrimp and microworms from day one and grow fast.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Gardneri killifish. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Betta fish Betta splendens 7 gal (25 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Bronze cory Corydoras aeneus 21 gal (80 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Zebra danio Danio rerio 16 gal (60 L) · 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) 
Guppy Poecilia reticulata 14 gal (54 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Cherry barb Puntius titteya 16 gal (60 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Tiger barb Puntigrus tetrazona 26 gal (100 L) · 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) 
Nerite snail Neritina natalensis 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Horned nerite snail Clithon corona 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Common goldfish Carassius auratus 79 gal (300 L) · 50–75 °F (10–24 °C) 
Panda cory Corydoras panda 16 gal (60 L) · 68–77 °F (20–25 °C) 
Dwarf gourami Trichogaster lalius 16 gal (60 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Gardneri killifish, and why.
- Discus: incompatible temperatures
- Clown loach: incompatible temperatures, one may eat the other due to size
- Oscar: one may eat the other due to size, incompatible temperaments
- Ember tetra: one may eat the other due to size
- Amano shrimp: eats shrimp
- Cherry shrimp: eats shrimp
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Gardneri killifish healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Gardneri killifish need?
At least about 40 liters for a group of at least 3 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Gardneri killifish need?
Between 20 and 26 °C, with a pH of 6 to 7.5.
What fish can live with the Gardneri killifish?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Bristlenose pleco, Betta fish, Bronze cory, Zebra danio and Guppy. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Gardneri killifish be kept with shrimp?
Not recommended: because of its size or instinct, it will eat shrimp.
