Breeding the beira killifish
Annual killifish: the pools dry out each year, the adults die and the eggs survive in the dry mud until the rains return 5-6 months later. In aquaria it spawns into peat, and the eggs need months of damp storage.
Step by step
One male with 2-3 females.
Bare 20 L tank with a bowl of sterilised peat for spawning; soft water.
Warm water, live food and peat.
Store the eggs in damp peat at about 21-25 °C for 5-7 months before wetting them to hatch.
Baby brine shrimp from day one.
- Short dry period
- Hard water
- Too many males
Male or female
Males are larger with alternating light blue and orange-red bars on body and fins, an orange-red head and a black-edged tail; females are plainer with a reflective light blue spot on each flank scale.
Can I breed it in my tank?
- Takes some experience.
Day-by-day plan
Typical for killifish (egg buriers)
- Day 0Spawning in peat
Pairs lay eggs in peat or coco fibre over several days.
- Day 1Dry the peat
Squeeze the peat damp-dry and store it in a bag at room temperature.
- Day 60Wet the peat
After 1–4 months (depends on the species), add cool soft water. Fry hatch within hours.
- Day 61First food
Feed infusoria, then baby brine shrimp from day 3.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Simulator: guided
Pairs lay eggs in peat or coco fibre over several days.
Simulator: try it yourself
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
- Without live or frozen food the parents aren't in breeding condition.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.