Encyclopaedia
Pygmy Killifish
Leptolucania ommata
A tiny freshwater fundulid, one of the smallest killifish in the world, ideal for nano planted aquariums.
- Family
- Fundulidae
- Origin
- Sud-est degli Stati Uniti: pianura costiera da Georgia e Alabama fino alla Florida, in paludi d'acqua dolce.
- Origin
- Tropical oceans and reefsNorth America
- Tank use
- Used in 0 tanks
Share
15 °C - 26 °C
5.5 - 7
Freshwater
All levels
3 cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Slow-moving blackwater streams, peat bogs, and heavily vegetated swamps in southeastern USA.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Family Fundulidae. One of the smallest North American fishes, reaching only 3 cm in length. Slender body.
Social Behavior: Peaceful and extremely shy. Males defend tiny temporary territories among plants during spawning.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Straw-colored body with a dark lateral stripe ending in a prominent ocellus (eyespots) at the tail base. Males have yellow fins.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Small tanks with dense vegetation, floating plants, and leaf litter. Use a gentle sponge filter to prevent strong currents.
Diet and Feeding: Micropredator. Requires tiny live foods like artemia nauplii, microworms, and daphnia. Dry food is rarely accepted.
Water Quality: Prefers soft, acidic water conditions. Organic filtration via peat moss is highly recommended. Keep water changes small but regular.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Best kept in a dedicated species tank. Can be kept with dwarf shrimp. Avoid any active midwater species.
Aquarium Breeding: Non-annual egg scatterer. Lays eggs on fine-leaved plants like mosses. Parents should be removed to maximize fry survival.
Risks and Diseases: Highly vulnerable to water quality shocks. Jump hazard; ensure the tank is tightly covered.
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Pacifico, timido e adatto ad acquari monospecifici
- Diet
- Carnivoro microscopico, predilige cibo vivo come infusori e micro-vermi
- Tank level
- All levels
- Minimum group
- 6
- Adult size
- 3 cm
- Minimum tank volume
- 40 L
- GH
- n/a
- KH
- n/a
- TDS
- n/a
- Conductivity
- n/a
- Feeding frequency
- 2 volte al giorno
- Bioload
- Basso
- Flow
- Lieve
- Jump risk
- Covered tank required
- Reproduction
- Depone uova adesive sulle piante acquatiche a foglie sottili; facile da riprodurre.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Adatto ad acquari monospecifici o con specie minuscole e tranquille come piccoli ciprinidi. Evitare compagni grandi.
Ecological Estimates & Biological Models
- Trophic level
- 3.1 ± 0.2 se
- Resilience
- High (less than 15 months)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 1
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.00631, b = 3.14
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.
