Werners Killifish Aplocheilus werneri
£7.00
Werners Killifish
Bulk Offer – 3 for £18.00
Discount will apply at checkout.
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Description
Werner’s Killifish (Aplocheilus werneri)
Werner’s Killifish, also known as Werner’s Panchax, is a slender, surface-dwelling predator endemic to the lowland streams of Sri Lanka. Unlike many of its short-lived African relatives, it is a non-seasonal killifish, capable of living for several years in a stable aquarium environment.
Species Profile
- Scientific Name: Aplocheilus werneri (Meinken, 1966).
- Maximum Size: Typically 7–9 cm (2.8–3.5 inches).
- Life Cycle: Non-seasonal; long-lived compared to annual species.
- Temperament: Predatory at the surface but generally peaceful towards fish too large to swallow.
Aquarium Setup & Maintenance
To thrive, A. werneri requires an environment that mimics the shallow, heavily shaded, slow-flowing rivulets of its Sri Lankan home.
| Parameter | Ideal Range |
|---|---|
| Minimum Tank Size | 60–75 litres (approx. 15–20 gallons). |
| Temperature | 22–26°C (72–79°F). |
| pH Level | 6.4–7.2 (prefers slightly acidic to neutral). |
| Hardness | Soft to medium (up to 12° dGH). |
- Tight-Fitting Lid: This species is a highly skilled jumper. A secure cover with no gaps is mandatory to prevent them from leaping out.
- Subdued Lighting: They prefer low light levels, which can be achieved through the use of floating plants like Salvinia or Amazon Frogbit.
- Decor: Use driftwood, rocks, and dense perimeter planting to provide hiding spots. A dark substrate will help the fish feel secure and intensify their natural coloration.
- Water Flow: They inhabit slow-moving waters and struggle in high-flow environments. A gentle sponge filter is often the best choice.
Diet & Nutrition
In the wild, Werner’s Killifish are surface-specialised predators, feeding primarily on terrestrial insects that fall onto the water and small aquatic larvae.
- Live & Frozen Foods: They show the best health and colour when fed bloodworms, white worms, daphnia, and wingless fruit flies (Drosophila).
- Dry Foods: While they will often accept high-quality floating flakes or pellets, these should only be a supplement to a protein-rich diet.
Breeding
Breeding is considered relatively straightforward if the fish are well-conditioned.
- Method: They are egg-scatterers that deposit their eggs daily into fine-leaved plants (e.g., Java Moss) or synthetic spawning mops.
- Social Structure: For breeding, keep them in a trio (one male to two females) to ensure the male does not overly harass a single female.
- Incubation: Females can lay 10–30 eggs per day. These typically hatch in 10–14 days.
- Raising Fry: Newly hatched fry are large enough to accept brine shrimp nauplii (baby brine shrimp) immediately.
Compatibility
- Ideal Tank Mates: Robust but peaceful species such as larger tetras, rasboras, Corydoras catfish, or dwarf cichlids.
- Species to Avoid: Very small or slender fish (e.g., Neon Tetras) which may be viewed as prey, and aggressive fin-nippers that could damage the killifish’s delicate fins.
Convenient nationwide delivery; you’re only a click away!
Our nationwide delivery service makes it easy to receive your fish directly at your door, anywhere in the UK, for a flat rate of just £30. This convenient service allows you to order up to 10kg of fish, with the assurance that they will arrive in excellent condition. To make the fishes journey as comfortable as possible we use Oxygen in the fish bags and heat packs in all the boxes of fish we send out.
For your peace of mind we enclose a slip which will explain what to do in the event of a fish not traveling too well.
We use a licensed courier to deliver your fish directly to you door and will be with you by 1pm the next day.
Our delivery days are as follows:
Tuesday for Wednesday delivery
Wednesday for Thursday delivery
Thursday for Friday delivery
Please put your desired delivery day in the Order Notes on the Checkout page.
General Enquiries
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