Hypsolebias magnificus "Malhada", Pair (1M1F)

Details -

Natural Range: Brazil, São Francisco River basin

Source: Aquarium Bred and Raised

Estimated size at shipping: 0.5-0.75"

Max Size: around 1.5-2"

Sold as: Pair (1M1F)

Overview:

This magnificent killifish is an annual species from Brazil. I first came across this fish in the 1990s at the Bay Area Killifish Association's annual West Coast Weekend convention. I believe that a fish collector named Dale Weber had brought them in. When I first saw this fish, I could not believe how colorful it was. Up until that time, the prettiest South American Annual killifish I had seen was Austrolebias nigrippinis...a beautiful species to be sure, but not nearly as colorful as Hypsolebias magnificus. In those days, they were selling for well over $100/pair (around $200 in today's money). As a teenager, I didn't have that kind of dough so I couldn't keep this fish. But I never stopped dreaming about it, so, its kind of poetic that now, in my late 40's, I finally have this species!

Some of the prettiest fish on the planet are killifish. This diverse group is sometimes referred to as the "egg-laying tooth carps" in order to distinguish them from their close relatives, the livebearers. In many ways, a killifish is a livebearer that lays eggs. The non-annual species generally live as long as your typical livebearers. The annual species typically last 12-18 months. Like their livebearer relatives, most killies are easy to keep and feed. They are also famously hardy.

Setup Considerations:

Killifish are one of the most diverse groups of fish on the planet. They have adapted to many habitats from hypersaline environments to pristine rainforest streams to temporary pools. Therefore, there is no "one sized fits all" way to keep killifish. However, most killies in the aquarium hobby can be kept in anything from a small bare tank with a sponge filter and a spawning mop to a large planted show aquarium with a community of species with an appropriate size and temperament. The one thing almost every killifish setup needs is a tight fitting lid. Killies are expert jumpers. If there is a hole in the lid, they will find it and they will manage to jump out of it.

Diet:

Most killifish in the aquarium hobby are carnivores. A few of the pupfish species are herbivores, but besides the Florida Flagfish, pupfish are rarely available to the average aquarist. Die-hard killie keepers generally feed their fish lots of live and frozen foods. However, that is not strictly necessary. High quality dry foods such as flakes, pellets, crumbles, etc. are also good food for killies. A rotation which includes frozen and dry foods usually results in fat, sassy killifish.

Location: Wyoming, United States

Shipping: Please review checkout for final shipping options based on items selected, quantity, and groupings. Heat or cold packs will be included as needed at no extra cost.

• UPS Next Day Giant: Fits 40 for $69.99
• UPS Next Day Large: Fits 14 for $49.99
• UPS Next Day Medium: Fits 8 for $45.99
• UPS Next Day Small: Fits 5 for $39.99

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