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Jewel killifish

Aphyosemion exiguum

Also known as Exiguum killi

FreshwaterFish

Jewel killifish (Aphyosemion exiguum)

Care at a glance

Temperature
68–77°F
20–25°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
1.6 in
4 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
40 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg depositor · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Nothobranchiidae
Origin
Cameroon and Gabon forest brooks

Overview

The jewel killifish is a tiny forest Aphyosemion for a small, dim, densely planted tank. It suits a keeper who has kept a few easier fish.

Did you know

The species name exiguum is Latin for scanty or slight. It was chosen for the jewel killifish itself, one of the smallest of all the Aphyosemion killifish.

Caring for the jewel killifish

Keep jewel killifish as a single pair, or as a trio of one male and two females, in 11 gal (40 L) or more. Plant the tank densely, with a dark base, roots, leaf litter and floating plants for shade. Allow only gentle flow, and fit a tight lid to keep them from jumping out.

Keep the water soft and acidic to neutral, at 68 to 77°F (20 to 25°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Kept cool, dim and undisturbed, they show their color best.

Feed fine live and frozen foods such as cyclops, daphnia, baby brine shrimp and micro bloodworm, which suit a small mouth. Jewel killifish are mostly peaceful and shy. They do best on their own or with very small, gentle tank mates that will not outpace them at feeding time.

They are plant spawners, laying eggs among fine vegetation, where the eggs develop in water rather than dry mud. Their small size and shy nature keep breeding a moderate challenge.

Good to know

The jewel killifish, Aphyosemion exiguum, is a non-annual member of the family Nothobranchiidae. It is green-gold in color.

In the wild

The jewel killifish lives in small, shaded forest brooks and trickles across Cameroon and Gabon. These shallow, cool, soft waters run over sand and leaf litter.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The jewel killifish is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a jewel killifish need?

A jewel killifish needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a jewel killifish need?

A jewel killifish is comfortable at 68–77°F (20–25°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a jewel killifish eat?

A jewel killifish eats fine live and frozen foods, such as cyclops, daphnia, baby brine shrimp and micro bloodworm. These suit its small mouth.

How big does a jewel killifish get?

An adult jewel killifish reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).

How does a jewel killifish breed?

A jewel killifish lays its eggs among fine plants, and they develop in water rather than dry mud. Its small size and shy nature make breeding moderately difficult.

Related species