Blue Gularis

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Niger River Delta (Cameroon and Nigeria). Lives in the twilight of swampy canals covered by the fronds of the rainforests, in coastal pools of weakly acidic water.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Blue Gularis (Fundulopanchax sjoestedti). The king of Killis (often sold as "giant"). Non-annual fish, although it often lives a few seasons in nature. Possesses a powerful cylindrical body and fins set far back.

Social Behavior: It is a formidable and hyper-aggressive mini-predator. Males fight fiercely (and mortally) with each other in small tanks. A single male with many females is the highly recommended approach.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Males are a dazzling cobalt-turquoise crossed by mahogany flames and red stripes all over the body and in the wide trident fins. Females are very pale and sand-colored, insignificant to allow camouflage.

Aquarium Setup: Tanks of 80 cm (32 inches) are enough for a colony. The tank should be shaded by Limnobium or Ceratophyllum, with a peat or Akadama bottom. The use of strong pumps is not recommended; they love slow-flowing waters.

Diet and Feeding: Tireless hunter. Although it slowly adapts to granules, its diet must be 70% live or frozen food. Eats huge earthworms, mosquito larvae, bloodworms and small shrimp. Can swallow whole neons if kept together.

Water Quality: They hate high temperatures, which burn out their life cycle in a few months reducing them to mush. Ideally 23-24°C (73-75°F), with winter peaks even below 20°C (68°F).

Compatibility and Tankmates: Small predator. Perfect in species-only aquariums. If kept in a community, compact fish that are not in its line of sight and Dwarf Cichlids (Pelvicachromis or Corydoras) are needed, provided the gularis does not become dominant.

Aquarium Reproduction: Substrate-spawner that buries eggs in boiled coir or peat. The eggs can remain immersed or, if in a dry annual "diapause" due to (simulated) drought, they are kept moist in bags for 6-8 weeks.

Risks and Diseases: Premature death caused by housing at a constant 27°C (81°F) or tankmate attacks. It is one of the fish most at risk of suicide by jumping (100% tight lid, always).