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.
Temperatura da água
22 - 26 °C
Valor de pH
6 - 7.2
Tipo de água
Água doce
Nível do tanque
Todos os níveis
Tamanho adulto
6 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 40 L
Grupo mínimo
>= 2
GH
4 - 10 dGH
KH
2 - 5 dKH
TDS
80 - 200 ppm
Condutividade
125 - 313 uS/cm
Descrição da espécie
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.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
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.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
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).
Origem
Oceanos tropicais e recifesÁfrica e Madagascar
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- 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.
- Dieta
- 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.
- Expectativa de vida
- 2-3 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 6 cm
- Proporção sexual
- 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.
- Frequência de alimentação
- 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.
- Carga biológica
- 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.
- Fluxo
- 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.
- Risco de salto
- 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.
- Reprodução
- 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.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- 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.
- Nível do tanque
- 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.
Modelos e parâmetros científicos
FishBase
Acesso aos dados científicos oficiais da espécie
FishBase v25.04Dados sincronizados em: 15/06/2026
- Nível trófico
- 3,2 ± 0,5 se
- Unicidade filogenética (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.00603, b = 3.13
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade baixa (10 / 100)
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