TankBud

Gery's killi

Scriptaphyosemion geryi

Also known as Gery's killifish, Aphyosemion geryi, Roloffia geryi

FreshwaterFish

Gery's killi (Scriptaphyosemion geryi)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
6.0–7.2
Adult size
2.6 in
6.5 cm
Minimum tank
14 gal
54 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg depositor · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Nothobranchiidae
Origin
Native to shaded pools, swamps, and small streams in the coastal savanna from the Gambia River south through Guinea to Sierra Leone.

Overview

Gery's killi is a mostly peaceful killifish for a quiet, planted species tank. It suits a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

Gery's killi is often passed over for flashier killifish because of its shy nature. Once it settles in, it proves a hardy fish.

Caring for the Gery's killi

Keep Gery's killi as a pair or a harem in a planted species tank of 14 gal (54 L) or more. It is shy and easily startled, so give it a dim tank with plenty of cover and a secure lid.

Keep the water soft to medium, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.2. Feed live and frozen bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp and white worm.

Gery's killi is timid, so avoid pushy tank mates that will beat it to food, and add any company with caution. Males show pale blue and red patterning with a marked tail, while both sexes are fairly slim.

It lays its eggs on plants and needs no dry period. Let a pair spawn on a mop, then incubate the eggs in water, where they hatch in two to three weeks. Breeding it is a moderate challenge.

Good to know

Gery's killi, Scriptaphyosemion geryi, is a non-annual killifish in the family Nothobranchiidae. It can live three to four years, much longer than the true annual species. It was formerly placed in the genera Aphyosemion and Roloffia.

In the wild

Gery's killi lives in shallow, well shaded waters in the forested coastal savanna of West Africa. Its range runs from the Gambia River south through Guinea to Sierra Leone, in pools, swamps, brooks and small streams.

Common questions

What size tank does a Gery's killi need?

A Gery's killi needs at least 14 gal (54 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Gery's killi need?

A Gery's killi is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.2.

What does a Gery's killi eat?

A Gery's killi eats live and frozen foods, such as bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp and white worm.

How big does a Gery's killi get?

An adult Gery's killi reaches about 2.6 in (6.5 cm).

How can you tell a male Gery's killi from a female?

Males show pale blue and red patterning and a marked tail. Both sexes are fairly slim.

How does a Gery's killi breed?

Gery's killi lays its eggs on plants or a spawning mop and needs no dry period. The eggs hatch in water after two to three weeks, and breeding it is moderately difficult.

Related species