LA
Male Aplocheilus linneatus. Golden wonders usually come in so small you
can't sex them.Origins: Originally from
India, we usually see these on lists from Indonesia. They all used
to look like the above guy. Now they come in a golden variety.
They arrive mostly green but the males turn into an attractive sort of
shiny gold. We also see them listed as gold panchax. We also
see a variety listed as blue panchax, another close relative. And
there’s a red panchax out there. Panchax means “bait” in many
places.
Great Starter Fish: If you’ve ever been
tempted to try killifish, the golden wonder is your best bet. These
are the species you’re most likely to come across in dealer tanks.
LA
Most common killifish sold in fish stores -- the golden wonder (about 3
inches).
Top Minnows: In the wild,
Aplocheilus slowly patrol the surface in search of any edible morsels on,
below, or above the surface. That’s why they call many killifish “top
minnows.” If you don’t want to keep them in your tank, one man’s
aquarium fish is another man’s bait.
Housing: You can keep
these guys in a 10 at first. But since they grow to 4.5 inches, they’d
prefer a 20. You can mix them with most community fish. They
probably don’t need a heater but don’t mix them with goldfish or other
long-finned varieties (bettas, guppies, angels). Keep these
top-dwelling jumpers well covered or they will all bail.
LA
Females smaller and chubbier (eggs).
Breeder Housing: You can
breed golden wonders in a 10. However, if you want to get serious
about breeding them, separate the sexes. Killies lay eggs over a
long time period -- maybe six today, four tomorrow, etc. If you want
a bunch of eggs in a short time period, separate the sexes.
Condition your breeders on at least three feedings a day. Feed a
variety. The little dudes and dudettes are not picky eaters.
Healthy males are nearly always in the mood.
LA
Java moss used as a natural spawning site.
LA
Checking out the bridal suite.
LA
You should be able to see at least two golden wonder eggs.
Natural Spawning: You can
spawn your golden wonder killies if you toss in a clump or two of Java
moss. Yank it out once a week and add a different clump. Put
the egg-laden moss in a rearing tank. Their eggs hatch in 10 to 14
days. Much depends upon the temperature of your water.
LA
Males larger, thinner, and get more colorful (gold) with age.
Egg Info: Refer to Plant
Spawners for details and pictures on this aspect of the process.
Or you can spawn them naturally on watersprite roots or Java moss.
Both sexes love the taste of their own eggs and fry. Remove your
breeders after they have interacted for three days.
Temperature: Many
serious killie keepers keep their breeders in unheated tanks.
Killifish live much longer (but mature more slowly) when kept cool.
Room temperature works fine.
LA
Of course, they love California blackworms. They really fatten up on
live foods.
Foods: If
any fish will eat a particular food, so will your golden wonder
killies. They like pellets, flakes, freeze-dried, frozen, and live
foods. Give them the “treat” foods last, and you really plump up
your breeder females. Male killies prefer zaftig females.
LA
Obvious females very well fed -- pellets, then flakes, then blackworms.
LA
Male in same tank on same exact diet.
LA
Good-sized mouth on this dude. Golden wonders (both sexes) are not
picky eaters.
Last Words:
Of all the killies, the golden wonder appears on the market most
often. Why? Because of all the killies in the hobby, the
golden wonder is in the top ten easiest to spawn. Best of all, their
price has come down a lot this year. LA
LA
Here's some youngsters of the so-called "red" strain. Same
fish. Same info applies.
LA
Same fish two weeks later.
Thanks, Everett:
If you want more info, some of it quite extensive, pop on over to Everett
Talavera's web site. He lives in Mexico City and is a real fan
of Aplochelus linneatus. If that link fails to connect you, go
to mx.geocities.com/mexfishweb
©
2005 LA Productions

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