Dwarf Red

About

Found in temporary and raphia swamps, as well as the sluggish, waterlogged stretches of coastal rainforest streams, Fundulopanchax sjoestedti is one of the bigger killifish you're likely to encounter in the hobby, with adult males reaching up to around five inches and wearing some remarkably vivid coloration. Several color forms exist, including a smaller variety nicknamed the Dwarf Red. The species was long sold under the name Aphyosemion sjoestedti, so older books and some suppliers still use that label. Unlike many killifish, it is not seasonal, meaning the eggs don't require a dry period to develop. Though incubation still takes a couple of months. Males are quite territorial with each other, so any group setup needs to account for that aggression; keeping multiple females per male also helps spread any harassment around. Outside of that intraspecies tension, it coexists reasonably well with peaceful fish large enough not to be viewed as a snack. Think robust cichlids, larger tetras, or armored catfish. It's considered a workable choice even for less experienced killifish keepers, which is a bit unusual for the group. Breeding is achievable with some patience, and peat moss is the substrate of choice for most hobbyists attempting spawning.