Werner's Killifish (Aplocheilus werneri)

Werner's Killifish Aplocheilus werneri
Name	Werner's Killifish
Name Lat.	Aplocheilus werneri
Family	Killifishes
Family lat.	Aplocheilidae
Order	Killifishes & Livebearers
Order lat.	Cyprinodontiformes
Origin	Sri Lanka
Habitat	Streams, ponds
Diet	Carnivore
pH	6.5-7.5
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Pair, harem
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Substrate spawner
Breeding	Moderately difficult
Life Span	3-5 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	9 cm
Temperature	22-25 °C
Hardness	5-15 °dH
Aquarium	~ 120 l
US Units
Size	3.5"
Temperature	72-77 °F
Hardness	89-267 ppm
Aquarium	~ 30 gal

Distribution and habitat

Werner's striped pike are found exclusively (endemically) in southern Sri Lanka. They live in shallow, stagnant or slow-flowing waters, such as ponds, rice paddies and streams with dense plant growth, where these lurking hunters prefer to stay among aquatic plants or under dense overhanging riparian vegetation.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have a dense border planting, with hiding and retreat possibilities (roots) and offer sufficient swimming space. A dark substrate covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves) and slightly dimmed light (floating plants) allow their colors to come out particularly well

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

The diet consists of live food, such as cyclops, daphnia, artemia and red mosquito larvae, which is also well accepted freeze-dried or frozen, supplemented with commercially available frozen special food mixtures. Occasionally, high-quality, high-protein dry food (flakes, granules, micropellets) is also accepted. A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms. Only as much should be fed as is eaten immediately (in a maximum of 10 minutes).

Behaviour and compatibility

They should be kept in pairs or better in a harem, one male with several females. Males are very territorial within the species, so keeping several pairs or harems is only recommended in a larger and richly structured tank. They can be socialized well with other fish, although fish that are too small are considered food.

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature should be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

The males are larger and more colorful than the females.

Reproduction and breeding

They are plant spawners, preferring to spawn their hard-shelled eggs with adhesive filaments on fine-feathered plants. No brood care is practiced. The fry hatch after 12-14 days depending on temperature

Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii, microworms, dust food). 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.

There are some populations, which are different in color. They like to jump, so the aquarium should be well covered

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has 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: Werner Winter; Image: petdata

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 3, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF