TankBud

Magnificent killifish

Hypsolebias magnificus

Also known as Magnificent pearlfish, Simpsonichthys magnificus, Magnificus killi

FreshwaterFish

Magnificent killifish (Hypsolebias magnificus)
Andrew Bogott · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
2 in
5 cm
Minimum tank
10 gal
38 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg burier · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Rivulidae
Origin
Native to seasonal pools in the middle Sao Francisco River basin of eastern Brazil.

Overview

The magnificent killifish is a small, peaceful killifish that lives near the bottom of a planted species tank. It suits a keeper with some experience.

Did you know

Magnificent killifish fry grow so fast that they can reach breeding age in about three weeks. They race to reproduce before the next dry season.

Caring for the magnificent killifish

Keep one male magnificent killifish with three or four females in a planted species tank of at least 10 gal (38 L). Give it dim light, a soft bottom and gentle filtration, and fit a tight lid.

Use soft, acidic water with low carbonate hardness, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Feed live and frozen brine shrimp, daphnia and bloodworm.

Magnificent killifish are peaceful enough to keep as a small group, but they are best kept on their own. Choose any tank mates with caution.

Males are patterned in gold, blue and red, with dark cross bars and speckled fins, while females are plain. Spawn them over a peat tray, then store the collected eggs damp for several months. In the wild the eggs rest in diapause through a five to six month dry season and hatch with the rains. Breeding them is moderately difficult.

Good to know

The magnificent killifish, Hypsolebias magnificus, is an annual killifish in the family Rivulidae. It was previously placed in the genus Simpsonichthys. Wild populations face habitat loss, which makes captive-bred lines important.

In the wild

The magnificent killifish lives in temporary rain pools in the middle Sao Francisco River basin of inland eastern Brazil. The region is dry, and the pools vanish for months at a time.

Common questions

What size tank does a magnificent killifish need?

A magnificent killifish needs at least 10 gal (38 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a magnificent killifish need?

A magnificent killifish is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a magnificent killifish eat?

A magnificent killifish eats live and frozen foods, such as brine shrimp, daphnia and bloodworm.

How big does a magnificent killifish get?

An adult magnificent killifish reaches about 2 in (5 cm).

How can you tell a male magnificent killifish from a female?

Males are patterned in gold, blue and red, with dark cross bars and speckled fins. Females are plain.

How does a magnificent killifish breed?

Magnificent killifish spawn over a peat tray. Store the collected eggs damp for several months, since they rest in diapause before hatching. Breeding them is moderately difficult.

Related species