How to Breed Gold Killifish
The gold killifish is a beautiful fish that is easy to breed. This is a favorite of fish owners and breeders due to its beautiful greenish yellow appearance. These fish can tolerate most normal freshwater aquarium conditions. They are hardy fish that can live up to three years, making them the killifish breed with the longest lifespan.
Items Needed:
- 2.5 gallon aquarium
- Small aquarium or container
- Substrate
- Spawn mops
- Thermometer
- Aquarium heater
- Sponge filtration
- PH meter or strips
- High quality fish food
- Place a male and female gold killifish alone into a 10-gallon aquarium. Some people place two females and one male into the tank. The male fish is brightly yellow/purple/green iridescent color with flecks of gold. The male has a long top and bottom fin The females are shorter and dull colored in comparison. Some females have dark stripes along the body.
- Feed the killifish a nutritious diet of high protein food. Bloodworms and shrimp are good choices, but you can also use fish eggs and good quality flake food.
- Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the water and use a pH meter to measure the pH levels. Make sure the conditions are ideal for breeding. Killifish breed best at lower temperatures between 62 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Put a spawn mop into the tank and wait for the eggs to appear. The mop is often made using dark wool or yarn adhered to corks. Use dark colored yarn, as this will help you to see the semitransparent eggs.
- Collect the eggs daily as they are laid and place them into the spawning tank. Spawning can go on for several weeks, with females producing one to three eggs per day. Remove the eggs immediately to prevent them from being eaten by the adult killifish.
- Maintain the water conditions in the hatching aquarium. Monitor for 12 to 14 days for the eggs to hatch.
- Feed the fry with tiny pieces of bloodworm. As they grow, introduce bigger portions. Separating the little fry from the larger ones will enhance their survival rate.