Walker's Killi (Fundulopanchax walkeri)

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Walker's Killi
Fundulopanchax walkeri
Walker's Killi (Fundulopanchax walkeri)
Name Walker's Killi
Name Lat. Fundulopanchax walkeri
Synonym Aphyosemion walkeri
Family African Rivulines
Family lat. Nothobranchiidae
Order Killifishes & Livebearers
Order lat. Cyprinodontiformes
Origin Western Africa
Habitat Streams
Diet Carnivore
pH 6.0-7.5
Behavior ♂ territorial
Keeping Harem
Care Level Moderate
Reproduction Substrate spawner
Breeding Moderately difficult
Life Span 3-4 years
Protection No
Metric Units
Size 7 cm
Temperature 22-26 °C
Hardness < 10 °dH
Aquarium ~ 120 l
US Units
Size 2.8"
Temperature 72-79 °F
Hardness < 178 ppm
Aquarium ~ 30 gal

Distribution and habitat

The range of the Walker's splendid carps is waters in the wet savannas and coastal rainforests of eastern and western Côte d'Ivoire and southwestern Ghana. They live in weedy marshes and floodplains, in slow-moving streams, and in shallow bays of small rivers. There are numerous differently colored site varieties.

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. The female nestles close to the male and spawns directly on the bottom. The fry usually hatch after 14-28 days. However, the eggs can survive longer dry periods in the substrate. After 3-5 months, the fry hatch just a few hours after the first rain. 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

They occur as non-annual killifish that live in waters that hold water year-round, but also as annual species that live in waters that periodically dry up completely. This adaptation allows them to inhabit many habitats

Different site varieties or cultivated forms of Walkers splendor carps should not be maintained 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 that provide 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 (1987): Colour Atlas of Cyprinodonts of the Rain Forests of Tropical Africa, Verlag Otto Hofmann; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

  • Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF