Marbled Lyretail (Fundulopanchax marmoratus)
| Marbled Lyretail Fundulopanchax marmoratus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Marbled Lyretail |
| Name Lat. | Fundulopanchax marmoratus |
| Synonym | Aphyosemion marmoratum |
| Family | African Rivulines |
| Family lat. | Nothobranchiidae |
| Order | Killifishes & Livebearers |
| Order lat. | Cyprinodontiformes |
| Origin | Cameroon |
| Habitat | Streams, ponds |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| pH | 6.0-7.0 |
| Behavior | ♂ territorial |
| Keeping | Harem |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Substrate spawner |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 3-4 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 6 cm |
| Temperature | 21-24 °C |
| Hardness | < 10 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 60 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 2.4" |
| Temperature | 70-75 °F |
| Hardness | < 178 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 15 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the Marbled Pied Darters are waters in the wet savannahs and rainforests of southwestern Cameroon. They live in weedy marshes and floodplains, in slow-moving streams and in shallow bays of small rivers. There are some differently colored site variants.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have dense planting, with hiding and retreat possibilities (roots) and provide sufficient swimming space. A soft, dark substrate covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves) and slightly shaded light (floating plants) is ideal
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
In nature they feed mainly on insects and insect larvae. The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality, protein-rich dry food (flakes, granules, micropellets) and with cyclops, moina, daphnia, artemia, mosquito larvae, etc. (live or frozen)
It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
They should be kept in a harem, one male with 2-3 females. Males often behave aggressively among themselves, so keeping multiple harems is only recommended in a larger and richly structured tank. They can be kept well in a species tank or also in a community tank with not too lively fish, whereby too small fish are considered as food. Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The male is much more colorful than the female.
Reproduction and breeding
They are bottom spawners that do not engage in brood care. The female nestles close to the male and spawns directly on the bottom. The fry usually hatch after 15-17 days
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii, microworms). In a community tank breeding is hardly possible, because the spawn is easy prey.
Important
These non-annual killifish live in waters that hold water year-round.
Different site varieties of Marbled Killifish should not be kept together, as they can interbreed (hybridize). They like to jump, so the aquarium should be well covered. Foliage (sea almond, oak, etc.) enriches the water with humic substances, naturally lowers the pH, and when decaying promotes the development of microorganisms, which are a valuable secondary food source.
The well-being of the fish should be monitored regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; RADDA & PÜRZL (1982): Killifische aus aller Welt, Band 2, Verlag Otto Hoffmann; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF