Encyclopaedia
Striped Killifish
Fundulus majalis
A temperate brackish killifish, recognized by its distinct vertical and longitudinal striping.
- Family
- Fundulidae
- Origin
- Costa atlantica del Nord America: da Massachusetts a Florida, in spiagge sabbiose ed estuari.
- Origin
- Tropical oceans and reefsNorth America
- Tank use
- Used in 0 tanks
Share
10 °C - 26 °C
7 - 8.5
Brackish / Marine
All levels
15 cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Eastern coast of the United States. Inhabits shallow waters over sandy bottoms in bays, estuaries, and marshes.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Family Fundulidae. Slender, elongated body with a pointed snout. Grows to a maximum length of 15 cm.
Social Behavior: Active, schooling species that stays in groups over shallow sandy areas. Fast and constantly foraging.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Silvery body. Marked dimorphism: males have vertical dark bars on the sides, while females have horizontal stripes.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Sandy substrate is essential as they forage in the sand. Keep the layout open with minimal rocky structures.
Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous. Readily consumes frozen foods (mysis, brine shrimp), dry flakes, pellets, and soft algae.
Water Quality: Prefers brackish (SG 1.008-1.015) or marine water. Highly tolerant of cold temperatures. Ensure strong filtration.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Great with sheepshead minnows and other coastal species. Not suited for tropical fish tanks.
Aquarium Breeding: Spawns in sandy substrate, often timed with simulated tidal high water. Eggs take about two weeks to hatch.
Risks and Diseases: High risk of jumping out of the tank if disturbed. Susceptible to marine ich if water parameters fluctuate.
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Pacifico, attivo e gregario
- Diet
- Onnivoro, si nutre di insetti, piccoli crostacei, vermi e cibo secco
- Tank level
- All levels
- Minimum group
- 6
- Adult size
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank volume
- 150 L
- GH
- n/a
- KH
- n/a
- TDS
- n/a
- Conductivity
- n/a
- Feeding frequency
- 1-2 volte al giorno
- Bioload
- Medio
- Flow
- Moderato
- Jump risk
- Covered tank required
- Reproduction
- Oviparo. Depone uova nella sabbia durante l'alta marea in natura.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Adatto a vasche biotopo costiere sabbiose. Compatibile con pesci attivi d'acqua fredda.
Ecological Estimates & Biological Models
- Trophic level
- 3.4 ± 0.2 se
- Resilience
- High (less than 15 months)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.00724, b = 3.17
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Other recommended species with similar care requirements and water parameters.
