All fish / Fundulidae

Striped Killifish

Fundulus majalis

Also known as striped killifish, striped mummichog, striped killie, bull minnow, mayfish, rayfish, 条纹底鳉

This is the largest North American killifish, a sturdy silvery fish from salt marshes and sandy shores. Females carry bold dark horizontal stripes, while males show vertical bars and turn darker with yellow tones when breeding. Keepers of native and brackish fish value it for its toughness and lively behaviour in larger, cool tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

10 to 26 °C

pH

7.5 to 8.5

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more with more females than males

Diet

Carnivore: small crustaceans, bloodworm, mysis, brine shrimp and quality pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 4 years

Water

Brackish

Wild range

Atlantic coast of the USA, from New Hampshire to northern Florida

Breeding

It spawns in spring and summer, laying eggs in sandy substrate in shallow water. Breeding in captivity is possible in a large brackish tank with sand and a seasonal temperature rise, but is rarely attempted.

Good to know

Grows larger than most killifish and can eat small tankmates, so house it with fish of similar size. It is a cool water species that suits unheated tanks better than tropical ones, and collecting wild fish may need a local fishing licence.