All fish / Cyprinodontidae

American Flagfish

Jordanella floridae

Also known as flagfish, florida flagfish, american flag fish, flag fish, florida killifish, アメリカンフラッグフィッシュ, 佛罗里达旗鱼, 美国旗鱼

A stocky little killifish whose males show red horizontal lines over a shimmering blue-green body, a pattern that recalls the American flag. It is valued as a hardy, colourful fish that happily grazes hair and thread algae in planted tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

18 to 26 °C

pH

6.7 to 8

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

One male with two or more females, or a larger group in a planted tank

Diet

Omnivore: algae, blanched greens, spirulina flakes, plus small live and frozen foods

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

USA: Florida peninsula

Breeding

Eggs are laid among fine plants or in a shallow pit, and the male guards them and the fry, which is unusual for a killifish. Breeding is easy in a planted tank, and the fry take infusoria and then baby brine shrimp.

Good to know

Males become territorial and can nip long-finned tankmates, especially when spawning. It may also nibble soft-leaved plants.