Why Aren't Killifish More Popular?

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AquaticNovice

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Mar 25, 2008
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Why aren't Killifish more popular?

I don't think I've ever seen any of these fish in person, but the pictures I've seen online and in books are gorgeous. Yet in the six months I've been in the hobby, I've never seen them in my LFS and I rarely see them mentioned or discussed on these boards.

As a mid-sized and colorful fish with fancy-looking finnage, I'd think these guys would easily rival the frequently discussed Blue Rams, Apistos, African Cichlids, and Tetras in popularity -- but don't seem to.

Are there unique challenges or concerns with Killifish? Any recommendations on finding them? Keeping them?
 
There is a whole big organization of killi fanciers, the American Killifish Society. I hear they are very active and passionate. Some killis have peculiar reproduction requirements, but not all. The only true killi I have kept is a Seminole killifish (Fundulus seminolis) which I found as a stowaway in a feeder shrimp tank, so I don't know too much about the group in captivity.

As far as your question goes, I really have no idea why certain fish groups become industry standards, and other seemingly equally interesting groups are largely ignored. Killis are a big and egregious one, but not the only one. Look at minnows- hundreds of species, many of them gorgeous and hardy, but only a handful (goldies, koi, rosy reds, barbs, white clouds, Siamese algae eaters) are popular in the trade.
 
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I know its not true of all killis, but there seems to be a mythical thought that they are difficult to keep, with special demands and not for the beginner. Or at least, that was always my impression.

Another thing, in reading, is that their fry are hard to raise in the aquarium, so perhaps (guessing) it is an availability issue?
 
you know, i've been here for several years, and i can spout on and on about cichlids, barbs, goldies, tetras, plecos, etc. even a bit of plant or salt info. . . . but i don't know a darn thing about killies.
 
The unpopularity of many killies, at least in terms of LFS availability, has alot to do with their specialized feeding requirements (many will not accept dry food), and relatively short life span (1 or 2 years). Coupled with the fact that most killies do not show optimal color unless comfortable, are relatively expensive for fish their size, and would likely need specialized/separate displays, the lack of incentive to stock them seems pretty clear. It's all for the best though, as you are better off obtaining them from specialized breeders than anywhere else. On the few occasions I have seen killies in pet stores, they have been larger "show" fish, which are usually well past their reproductive prime, and at best have a few more months of life expectancy.
 
There are killies which live for 3-4 years, the life expectancy of small fish. There are plenty of easy to keep, gorgeous killies. Really,it has to do with myths and availability, I think. A pair of lyretails is $30 at my LFS.
 
Are golden wonder killies good? I seen them in my lfs
 
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