All fish / Fundulidae

Bluefin killifish

Lucania goodei

Also known as bluefin killie, blue fin killifish, bluefin topminnow, lucania goodei, blue-fin killifish, ブルーフィン・キリー, 蓝鳍鳉

A small, slim North American killifish with a dark stripe along each side. Breeding males show bright blue dorsal and anal fins edged in black, often with red or orange at the base. It is kept by native fish fans and in unheated planted tanks because it is hardy and colourful.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

16 to 26 °C

pH

6.5 to 8

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more, ideally with more females than males

Diet

Omnivore: small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, bloodworm and brine shrimp, plus quality flakes

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Florida and southern Georgia, south-eastern USA

Breeding

Pairs scatter a few eggs each day among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops over several weeks. Eggs hatch in about a week and the fry take infusoria then baby brine shrimp, so breeding is fairly straightforward.

Good to know

Males squabble over territory, so give dense planting and enough space. Collecting or moving wild fish may be restricted by state rules in the USA.