{"product_id":"steel-blue-killifish-fundulopanchax-gardneri","title":"Steel-Blue Killifish – Fundulopanchax gardneri","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eSteel-Blue Killifish\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eFundulopanchax gardneri\u003c\/em\u003e), also known as the Gardneri Killifish or Blue Lyretail, is one of the most colorful and popular African killifish in the aquarium hobby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMature males can develop brilliant steel-blue to blue-green coloration covered with vivid red spots and markings, along with colorful extended fins. Females are generally more subdued but remain attractive and active.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis species is relatively hardy for a killifish and is a good introduction to the group, but it is best maintained in a carefully planned aquarium rather than an unrestricted community setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrilliant steel-blue coloration in mature males\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStriking red spots and markings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeautiful extended fins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePopular African killifish species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRelatively hardy compared with many killifish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCan be maintained in pairs or small groups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent for planted aquariums\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAccepts prepared, frozen, and live foods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRequires a tightly fitted aquarium lid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFish Information\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Steel-Blue Killifish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlso Known As:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gardneri Killifish, Gardner's Killi, Blue Lyretail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eFundulopanchax gardneri\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nothobranchiidae\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e West Africa\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nigeria and Cameroon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Freshwater\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Generally peaceful toward many fish, but males may be territorial with one another\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 2–2.5 inches, with some individuals approaching 2.6 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSwimming Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Middle to upper levels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore \/ micropredator\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy to Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eColor and Appearance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMale Steel-Blue Killifish are exceptionally colorful. Depending on the strain or locality, males may display a metallic blue, turquoise, or blue-green body covered with bright red spots and streaks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fins may contain combinations of blue, yellow, red, and orange coloration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFemales are usually more subdued, with tan to gray-brown coloration and smaller fins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost Steel-Blue Killifish reach approximately \u003cstrong\u003e2–2.5 inches\u003c\/strong\u003e as adults.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFishBase reports a maximum total length of approximately \u003cstrong\u003e6.5 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e, or about 2.6 inches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRecommended Aquarium Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003e15-gallon aquarium or larger\u003c\/strong\u003e can work for a pair or small group, although a \u003cstrong\u003e20-gallon aquarium or larger\u003c\/strong\u003e provides more room for territories and planted cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen keeping multiple males, additional aquarium space and visual barriers are particularly important.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRecommended Water Parameters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 68–79°F\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 6.0–7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Hardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft to moderately hard, approximately 1–10 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAmmonia:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0 ppm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNitrite:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0 ppm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNitrate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kept low through routine maintenance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStable water quality is more important than maintaining one exact pH value.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAquarium Setup\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSteel-Blue Killifish do especially well in planted aquariums with plenty of cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse a fully cycled freshwater aquarium\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide gentle filtration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse plants to create visual barriers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd floating plants for additional security\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide Java moss, spawning mops, or dense vegetation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse driftwood or other aquarium-safe décor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaintain gentle to moderate water movement\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse a tightly fitting aquarium lid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eImportant Jumping Warning\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteel-Blue Killifish are excellent jumpers.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA securely fitted lid is essential. Even small gaps around filters, heaters, airline tubing, or cables may provide an escape route.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn nature, \u003cem\u003eFundulopanchax gardneri\u003c\/em\u003e feeds heavily on small aquatic invertebrates, insect larvae, worms, and zooplankton.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the aquarium, offer a varied diet that may include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-quality flakes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMicro pellets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrozen brine shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLive or frozen daphnia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBloodworms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBaby brine shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall live foods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLive and frozen foods are especially useful for maintaining strong coloration and conditioning fish for breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTemperament\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSteel-Blue Killifish are relatively robust but should not automatically be treated as ideal general community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMales can become territorial or aggressive toward one another, especially when competing for females.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlenty of plants, hiding areas, and visual barriers can help reduce aggression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKeeping Pairs and Groups\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA pair can be maintained successfully, but when keeping mixed groups it is often better to provide approximately \u003cstrong\u003etwo to three females per male\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis helps distribute male attention and reduces pressure on a single female.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMultiple males require additional space and plenty of cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePotential Tankmates\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarefully selected tankmates may include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeaceful small to medium rasboras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeaceful tetras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCorydoras\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall peaceful catfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther calm fish that will not harass or outcompete them\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid aggressive fish, persistent fin nippers, or extremely fast and boisterous species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMale vs. Female\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMales are generally larger, much more colorful, and develop longer, more decorative fins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFemales are usually smaller and more subdued in coloration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSteel-Blue Killifish are considered relatively easy to breed compared with many killifish species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEggs may be deposited among:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJava moss\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFine-leaved plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpawning mops\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeat or similar spawning media\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe eggs may develop while submerged or can tolerate a period of damp incubation depending on breeding method.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdults may eat eggs, so breeders often remove eggs regularly or move spawning media to a separate incubation container.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlants and Aquascaping\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDense planting works very well for Steel-Blue Killifish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGood choices include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJava moss\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater sprite\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGuppy grass\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnubias\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJava fern\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCryptocoryne\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFloating plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants provide hiding areas, break up territories, and can also serve as spawning sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eExpected Lifespan\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSteel-Blue Killifish commonly live approximately \u003cstrong\u003e2–3 years\u003c\/strong\u003e in aquarium conditions, although lifespan can vary depending on genetics, water quality, temperature, diet, and overall care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eImportant Care Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlways use a tightly fitting lid.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide plenty of plants and hiding places.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMales may be territorial toward one another.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConsider keeping two to three females per male.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeed a varied diet that includes frozen or live foods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaintain ammonia and nitrite at 0 ppm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid overly aggressive tankmates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNever release aquarium fish into local waterways.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow large do Steel-Blue Killifish get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost adults reach around 2–2.5 inches, although individuals may approach approximately 2.6 inches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre Steel-Blue Killifish peaceful?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey are generally peaceful toward many other fish, but males can be territorial and aggressive toward other males.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan Steel-Blue Killifish live in a community aquarium?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey can live with carefully selected peaceful tankmates, but they are not ideal for every general community setup. A species-focused or calm planted aquarium is often preferable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo they need a planted tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlants are not absolutely required, but dense vegetation and floating plants provide valuable cover and help reduce stress and territorial behavior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long do Steel-Blue Killifish live?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA typical aquarium lifespan is approximately 2–3 years, although individual lifespan varies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo Steel-Blue Killifish jump?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. They are excellent jumpers, so a tight-fitting aquarium lid is essential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat should I feed them?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey accept quality prepared foods, but regular frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms are beneficial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre Steel-Blue Killifish easy to breed?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. They are considered one of the easier killifish species to breed when maintained under suitable conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAvailable at Tropical Treasures Wyo\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSteel-Blue Killifish are available at \u003cstrong\u003eTropical Treasures Wyo\u003c\/strong\u003e in Cheyenne, Wyoming, when in stock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLive fish are available for \u003cstrong\u003ein-store purchase or local pickup only\u003c\/strong\u003e and are not available for shipping.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tropical Treasures Wyo LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51691683872981,"sku":null,"price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0670\/4545\/8133\/files\/Steel-BlueKillifish_c6095ab2-c811-4f90-9141-26f5d0fe0173.jpg?v=1756073943","url":"https:\/\/tropicaltreasureswyo.com\/products\/steel-blue-killifish-fundulopanchax-gardneri","provider":"Tropical Treasures Wyo LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}