Aphyosemion Bivittatum

[rum_and_reason]

Hello!

I've just recently got back into fishkeeping, haven't had a tank since I moved from my parent's home 10 years ago. I first got into killifish when I was about 15 and had a beautiful pair of a.australe in a community tank, so since I got fish on the brain again I was keen to set up a killi species tank. I set up a 24x8x8" unlit, covered tank with peat moss/gravel mix, blackwater extract and lots of anubias, java moss, java fern, indian fern and bogwood and last week I got a lovely pair of a.bivittatum from 'paws for thought' in Leeds. I've been feeding on live brine shrimp and frozen bloodworm which they take well when squirted from a dropper (the female eats loads more than the male). I love watching them eat, they're like little hunters and they get really energetic after they've been fed. I also love when the male seems to 'display' to the female or at his own reflection in the glass, his orange-tipped dorsal fin is really magnificent when it's up and his sides become tinged with metallic blue when normally they look brown. I'd love to put some photos up but my attempts to capture them are really poor, it's hard when the tank isn't lit. I might put some of my attempts up later!

I've done loads of reading on killifish but I wondered if anyone had practical experience with this species and wanted to share any tips/advice?

More specificly I wanted to ask:

1. I read that they prefer 'old' water so would it be best to do water changes with water siphoned from my other tank (heated fancy goldfish/hillstream loach tank) or to acquire RO water from a fish shop?

2. Despite peat/blackwater/bogwood the pH is still around 7.5, I've ordered some peat bog squeezy balls and almond leaves from tyneside aquatics do you think these will help or does it mean my tap water is too buffered to change?

3. The past couple of days the female has been hiding a lot, to the extent where I've convinced myself she's dead and had to rummage around the plants. Previously she was less shy than the male and she'll come right up to the dropper and try and eat out of it at feeding time. But today as soon as she emerged he started harassing her and I'm wondering if that's why she's been hiding. (She still comes out if she thinks food's on the go and looks well but not as 'outgoing') Do you think I should try and find another female of this species somewhere to give her a break or put a tank divider in or something or will she be okay seeing as she seems to manage to find effective hiding places?

Phew, thanks for reading all that. Just wanted to introduce myself really!

Anna

 

[rum_and_reason]

No one? Well, here is the best photo I could get. Pretty little fishes, it's nice to see such distinctive markings on a female Killi. I have put an advert on aquarist classifieds to see if anyone can spare me another couple of females. Have witnessed them spawning quite a few times so looking forward to maybe seeing some fry appear with the pair.

 

[BigC]

Hi Anna,
Been busy of late...nice fish....They would now fall under the name of Chromaphyosemion (followed by the species name)
have you got the species name (not bivittatum) having this would help me further with a view of giving you more information
There are literally dozens of different species and location codes which fall under this mantle.
Regards
C

 

[rum_and_reason]

Hi C,

Thanks for your reply. Are their any species identification books or articles that might help me identify them? They were just sold as "two stripe killifish". Looking at images they are comparable to "Chromaphyosemion Bitaeniatum (Lagos?)" if that is a valid species name?

I'm learning more about them by the minute. They were not impressed when I offered them daphnia instead of brine shrimp! I've just been watching them and noticed the male's colours and markings are much more established than last week. Not sure if this is him maturing or just becoming more comfortable with his environment. Their behaviour and "body language" with each other is very interesting, he seems to have learned that he gets better results when he moves more slowly and seems to try and lead her to somewhere she might spawn. The times I have observed him being successful it has been on the peat/gravel or broad leaf plants as opposed to the moss or feathery leaved plants, contrary to what I'd read about them. But who knows what they're upto when I'm not looking. I've not seen any actual eggs but I don't really know what I'd be looking for. Would I definitely see fry if they hatched? There seems to be infusoria in the tank anyway so I'm sure they would survive if I missed them for a couple of days.

Anna

 

[leondf]

I have the killifishes of the world- old world killis 1 book . Aphyosemion , Lampeyes & Ricefishes

The description in the book is exactley the same as you have said - Aphyosemion Bivittatum Funge / Western Cameroon


But looks very similar to Aphyosemion (Chromaphyosemion) bitaeniatum (Ahl 1924) ( in the killie book the stripe is a lot darker than the picture below)

 

[rum_and_reason]

That picture there is definitely the same fish. The stripe increases and decreases in intensity depending on what he's up to. Thanks for looking that up for me! Do people think I should stick a few Pygmy corys or another killi pair in the tank to distract him a bit from her? Not heard anything from advertising for new females.

 

[Daves Corydoras]

Hello, to lower the P.H. in your tank you can use rain water. It is safer then old water and will bring the P.H. down and is soften it as well. Rain water is very good as it is acidic. Or you can add peat juice to your tank as well. A little at a time. Rain water can be added at about 1/4 tank at a time. I like to use the rain water. Its perfect.

 

[Asteria]

wow such a beautiful fish
have you thought of going back into your LFS (Local Fish Store)
And perhaps trying o find another pair, or even ask them if hey could acquire a few for you