Scheel's killifish
Fundulopanchax scheeli
A non-annual West African killifish native to the lower Cross River basin in Nigeria and the Ndian River area in southwestern Cameroon. Hardy and suitable for those approaching the killifish world, with an emerald and red livery in males that intensifies with good diet. Critical detail: it is classified as Critically Endangered in the wild due to habitat loss and agricultural pollution — aquarium specimens represent an important genetic reservoir. Longevity 3–5 years, longer than many killifish. Lid essential.
Température de l’eau
22 - 26 °C
Valeur du pH
6 - 7.2
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Tous les niveaux
Taille adulte
6 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 40 L
Groupe minimal
>= 2
GH
4 - 10 dGH
KH
2 - 5 dKH
TDS
80 - 200 ppm
Conductivité
125 - 313 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the coastal swamps and small forest streams in southern Cameroon and Nigeria. Unlike many inland Fundulopanchax, its biotope is often located near slow-flowing coastal lagoons (Blackwater).
Taxonomy and Morphology: Scheel's Killi. Once considered a subspecies of F. gardneri, it differs in its slightly smaller size (5.5 - 6 cm / 2-2.3 inches) and the typical "brush" tail with much less pronounced lyretail filaments compared to the gardneri.
Social Behavior: Decidedly more shy, calm and peaceful than its fierce cousin F. gardneri. Spends time stationing in the thick of the vegetation at mid-water; the males perform choreographic parades with spread fins without the intent of killing each other.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Majestic and elegant livery: the male's body is opaque burgundy or bronze, topped with light blue or emerald metallic scales and a fine red stippling. The caudal fin has a thick sub-marginal yellow band. Faded and brownish females, with fine dark dots.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Monospecific or very quiet community tanks of 45-60 cm (18-24 inches). Desperately need dim light: filter the light with woods covered with Microsorum and floating plants, inserting catappa leaves on the bottom. A tight-fitting lid is vital: they jump very high.
Diet and Feeding: Micropredator. More picky and delicate than the gardneri. Often stubbornly refuses dry food at first. A diet based on live/frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms, nauplii and mosquito larvae is essential to induce reproduction and keep them from wasting away.
Water Quality: Prefers clearly soft (GH 4-10) and slightly acidic (pH 6.0-7.2) waters. Ideal temperatures are mild, between 22 and 26°C (71-79°F). Highly sensitive to the accumulation of nitrates, requires frequent small partial water changes.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: The ideal "community" killi among the Fundulopanchax. Given its docile and peaceful nature, it cohabits excellently with Corydoras and small docile characins or rasboras. Being shy, if bullied by other killis, it will stop feeding and hide until death.
Aquarium Breeding: Purely "water-incubating" species (does not require dry diapause). The eggs are laid in the floating mop or in the moss and hatch directly in the water after about 15-20 days, making it an excellent and rewarding killi for beginners of the genus.
Risks and Diseases: Fatal jump (usual risk of all killifish). Subject to fungal infections and Oodinium if kept in too old or polluted waters. Rarely survives beyond two years, being a species with a naturally accelerated life cycle.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Endemic to the coastal swamps and small forest streams in southern Cameroon and Nigeria. Unlike many inland Fundulopanchax, its biotope is often located near slow-flowing coastal lagoons (Blackwater).
Origine
Océans tropicaux et récifsAfrique et Madagascar
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- They are generally peaceful, somewhat timid fish that appreciate a quiet environment. Males will occasionally flare their fins at one another in harmless displays of dominance. A well-structured tank with plenty of hiding spots ensures they remain calm and visible.
- Régime alimentaire
- Carnivore
- As natural micro-predators, they require a diet heavily based on small invertebrates. Frozen bloodworms, white worms, and live brine shrimp are eagerly devoured. High-quality dry foods are usually accepted over time to supplement their meaty diet.
- Espérance de vie
- 2-3 years
- Taille adulte
- 6 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Harem
- Males are larger and distinctly more colorful than the relatively plain females. Maintaining a harem of one male to two or three females prevents exhaustion of the females. Multiple males can coexist peacefully only if the aquarium provides abundant hiding places.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- Offering small, measured meals once or twice a day keeps adults in excellent condition. To promote spawning, increase feeding frequency and incorporate more live foods. Avoid overfeeding, as uneaten meaty foods quickly degrade aquarium water quality.
- Charge biologique
- Low
- This beautiful species has a low bioload footprint, perfectly suited for modest aquariums. Biological filtration using a gentle sponge filter manages their waste perfectly. Consistent weekly water maintenance guarantees they remain healthy and vibrant.
- Courant
- Strong
- Originating from calm coastal rainforest streams, they demand gentle, low-flow conditions. High-output filters or powerheads will exhaust these fish and suppress their natural behaviors. Simple air-driven filtration creates the ideal, tranquil environment.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- They are exceptional jumpers, capable of propelling themselves out of even tiny openings. Securing the aquarium with a custom-fit glass or acrylic canopy is absolutely critical. Dense mats of floating plants also discourage them from approaching the water's surface too aggressively.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- They are switch-spawners that can lay eggs on aquatic moss or directly on a peat substrate. The eggs typically incubate in water for a few weeks before hatching. The fry are quite resilient and can be raised on infusoria followed by baby brine shrimp.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Peaceful
- They are an excellent, peaceful addition to community tanks with appropriately sized nano fish. Fast-swimming or aggressive tank mates will easily outcompete them for food and cause them to hide. They shine best in a dedicated species setup or paired with peaceful bottom-dwellers like Corydoras.
- Niveau dans le bac
- All levels
- They are most commonly found exploring the middle to upper zones of the aquarium. They feel most secure in tanks heavily planted with stem plants and broad-leaved species. Floating vegetation provides essential shade that encourages them to swim freely in the open.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3,2 ± 0,5 se
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.00603, b = 3.13
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
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