Animal-World > Freshwater Fish > Killifishes > Banded Lampeye Killifish

Banded Lampeye Killifish

African Lampeye Family: Poeciliidae

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Aplocheilichthys spilauchen Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken Childs

   The colors on the Banded Lampeye Killifish are subtle,... yet they are still beautiful!

   Banded Lampeye Killifish have a very gentle but attractive coloration. A planted tank is an excellent way to showcase your specimens. They are especially pleasing when contrasted against a dark substrate in a dimly lit aquarium. With their bright red eyes, you can see why these fish are included in the lampeye group of killifish.

   A lively but peaceful schooling fish, the Banded Lampeye can be a great addition to any community tank. They live in the mouths of rivers in Western Africa so they will do well with non-aggressive brackish water fish, but they will also do just fine in a freshwater tank with peaceful tank mates.

For more Information on keeping freshwater fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

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Distribution:
   The Banded Lampeye Killifish was described by Duméril in 1861. They range from the mouth of the Senegal River to the mouth of the Congo River in Western Africa where they inhabit estuaries, mangrove swamps, and brackish water.

Status:
   This fish is not listed on the IUCN red list.

Description:
   The body of the Banded Lampeye Killifish is rather cylinder shaped with short rounded fins, and the scales are round. The head is flattened on top and the mouth is at the tip, they have no barbels. They have a subdued cream to light brown coloration with an iridescent silvery blue along the center of the body, strongest on the back half. The Male will have silvery blue cross stripes on the base of the tail and more intensely colored fins than the female.

Size - Weight:
   This fish will reach 2.75 inches (7 cm).

Care and feeding:
   Banded Lampeye Killifish are primarily carnivores. They will eat most smaller sized aquarium foods but they will look their best if fed mostly live or fresh frozen foods such as bloodworms or brine shrimp.
   As with many fish, the lampeyes will do best and are most effectively displayed in tanks which simulate their natural habitat. A dark substrate in a dimly lit aquarium will showcase this fish best. As they are a bit shy dense vegetation along the back and sides will provide hiding places. Leave open swimming space in the middle.
   Since their maximum size is less than 3 inches, they will do well in a 10 gallon tank as long as the water is kept clean. Provide good filtration and do regular water changes. The mouths of the rivers they originate from have freshwater mingling with the sea so their natural water conditions range from fresh to brackish. You can keep them in freshwater, but a brackish environment is preferable and can be created by adding 2 - 3 teaspoons of salt for each 2 1/2 gallons of water. If you plan on attempting to breed them, brackish water is suggested.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   This is a species that will swim in all parts of the tank.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   Temperature: 79 -89° F (24 - 32° C)
   Hardness: 12° dGH
   Ph: 7.5 - 8.5

Social Behaviors:
   Banded Lampeye Killifish are very peaceful, great for a community tank with other peaceful fish of similar size. They are an idea tankmate to keep with with gobies. Like all Killifish, they will also do well when kept in a species tank with a school of their own kind.

Sexual Differences:
   Mature males have a more highly arched back than females. They are also more colorful, especially in the fins, and they have silvery cross stripes on the base of their tails.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   The Banded Lampeye is more difficult to breed and is not as prolific as other members of its family. They are egg layers that scatters their eggs over fine leaved plants in the wild. They produce eggs that will adhere to the plants. In a tank, the use of a spawning mop will serve the same purpose.
   These fish can spawn in a species tank or in a breeding tank. A breeding tank for these fish needs to be brackish with a low water level, about 6 inches, and good aeration. It can be set up with a sponge filer and a spawning mop or feathery plants. The water should be soft (5° dGH), slightly acid (Ph 6.5) and the temperature between 77 - 80° F (25 - 27° C).
   The plants/mop should be removed daily and replaced with new ones, or the eggs will be eaten. The egg laden plants/mop should be placed in a tank containing clean water with the same quality parameters as the parent’s tank. The eggs will mature in 15 days. The newly hatched fry should be fed infusoria, a liquid fry food, or newly hatched baby brine. Pay close attention when feeding, as foods if uneaten can quickly foul the water. The fry will require clean water to survive.

Availability:
   The Banded Lampeye Killifish are occasionally available.

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Author: Ken Childs
Additional Information: Clarice Brough, CFS

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