Do I have to dry out their eggs to breed them?

No. Because they are a semi-annual species, their eggs can be water-incubated and will usually hatch in 2 to 3 weeks. However, incubating them on damp peat for a few weeks can sometimes yield higher and more synchronised hatch rates.

Why did my killifish jump out of the tank?

Gardneri Killifish are natural jumpers, a trait they use in the wild to escape predators or move between shallow pools. A completely tight-fitting lid with no gaps around cables or filters is absolutely essential.

Can I keep multiple males together?

You can keep multiple males together only if the aquarium is large enough (80+ litres) and densely planted with broken lines of sight. In smaller setups, the dominant male will relentlessly chase and stress subordinate males.

Are they suitable for a community tank?

Yes, provided their tankmates are chosen carefully. They do well with peaceful bottom dwellers like Corydoras and medium-sized mid-water schoolers like Harlequin Rasboras. Avoid large, aggressive fish or long-finned tankmates like Bettas.

Why are my females so pale compared to the males?

This is a classic example of sexual dimorphism. Males are brightly coloured to attract mates and defend territory, while females are naturally drab to remain camouflaged and protect themselves from predators.

FreshwaterTropicalBeginner

Gardneri Killifish

Fundulopanchax gardneri

A strikingly colourful and surprisingly adaptable West African killifish, perfect for aquarists looking to explore this fascinating group of fishes.

List this species for sale Find Gardneri Killifish near me

Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 20 – 26 °C
pH range: 6 – 7.5
Hardness: 2 – 15 dGH
Adult size: 6 – 7 cm
for a trio (one male, two females): 45 litres+
Lifespan: 2 – 3 years
Diet: Carnivore
Water flow: low
Preferred setup: Heavily planted tank with dark substrate, floating plants to diffuse light, and a very tight-fitting cover.

About the Gardneri Killifish

The Gardneri Killifish is arguably one of the most popular and vibrant killifish in the aquarium hobby. Revered for the male's spectacular metallic body and crimson spotting, it provides an excellent introduction to the world of killies. Unlike strictly annual species that only live for a few months in the wild, *Fundulopanchax gardneri* is a semi-annual species that can thrive for up to three years in a home aquarium. Enthusiasts often keep specific location strains separate to preserve the unique colour patterns of distinct wild populations.

Find Gardneri Killifish

Search current listings in your chosen area. If none are available, save an alert and we’ll let you know when a match is listed.

Find locally Check compatibility Add to a Setup

Availability alerts only use public sale listings. Adding this species to a Setup updates your private records.

Is it right for your tank?

Check Gardneri Killifish against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Gardneri Killifish comes from

Native range

West Africa, Cross River Basin, Benue River Basin

Countries / regions

Nigeria, Cameroon

Habitat

Found in shallow streams, pools, and marshes, often in the transitional zones between rainforest and savannah.

Highly variable across its range, with many distinct colour morphs identified by their collection locales.

Similar species

Blue Lyretail Killifish
Fundulopanchax sjostedti
Clown Killifish
Epiplatys annulatus
Striatum Killifish
Aphyosemion striatum

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

View all compatibility

Bronze Corydoras
Corydoras aeneus
Peaceful bottom dwellers that will completely ignore the surface-dwelling killifish and share similar water parameter requirements.
Great
Harlequin Rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Active, peaceful schooling fish that are too large to be eaten and will not nip the trailing fins of male killifish.
Great
Otocinclus
Otocinclus spp.
Small, incredibly peaceful algae grazers that occupy lower levels and tank surfaces, avoiding any territorial disputes.
Great
Guppies
Poecilia reticulata
Both are brightly coloured surface dwellers; male killifish may occasionally nip at the flashy tails of male guppies.
Compatible with caution
Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Adult shrimp are usually safe in a heavily planted tank, but baby shrimp will undoubtedly be hunted and eaten.
Compatible with caution
Siamese Fighting Fish
Betta splendens
They share the upper levels of the tank and have similar vibrant colours and trailing fins, which will almost certainly trigger severe aggression.
Not recommended

Current marketplace listings

Checking the marketplace…

See all Gardneri Killifish listings

Public Wanted requests

No open requests for Gardneri Killifish in this market yet.

Looking for Gardneri Killifish?

Search current listings near you, or post a wanted request so local sellers know what you’re looking for.

Search Gardneri Killifish listings Post a wanted request