Florida flagfish

[skullduggery1]

A very neat killie that has a unique breeding behavior.Practically like a cichlid for spawn behavior.A great native species,that I believe should be offered at most LFS more often.

[Lady Hobbs]

I agree. Flag fish are supposed to be good algae eaters, too.

[skullduggery1]

The fish mad scientist are" ballooning" 'this species as well,shame on them.

[jonny5]

i have had 3, one died and two are still in the tank.
These guys are super cool, escpecially being one of the more colorful killifish from north america.

they get all stocky and even my archer fish get out of there way. A nice trait is that i have 2 males, one full grown and one in the juvenile phase, the large male actually swims and escorts the other juvenile male around. Maybe when fully mature there might be aggression but as of now they help each other.

2 not so known facts.
one, these fish can take fresh or light brackish water up to 1.005sg
two, they are subtropical not tropical and actually like water around 72-74 degrees. Mine are in 78 degree tropical and seem to be happy but im sure not all specimens adapt well.

[UncleWillie]

Yes, they can tolerate brackish water for a period of time, but they are a fully freshwater fish. They are found in drainage ditches, canals weedy ponds, etc. in coastal areas, but all these a waters are fresh.

I've kept flagfish since 2006 and have observed quite a range of behaviors. In short, my first pair were the most docile and never bothered a soul. When my male died 2 years later, I got 3 more females, and 3 more males. It was then when I started noticing more aggression between males and establishment of a hierarchy. I had plenty of space and plenty of cover (5-6 fish in a heavily planted 46 gallon tank), but they always stuck near each other, even if the smaller males were going to get pushed to the edge of the group.

Last spring I put a pair in a tub outside and I ended up with multiple spawns. I ended up getting about 12 mixed aged young at the end of summer. I could have had more I'm sure, but they whole reason for leaving them on their own outside was because I didn't have time / space to raise fry indoors. If anyone wants the details of the setup I can PM them or post them here sometime.

[FishyPastor]

My local LFS carries flag fish. They look really interesting, would they work well with Gold Fish? Since there sub tropical?

[skullduggery1]

I don't see why not?If the tank is large enough.Flag fish are tough little buggers,especially when breeding.They like plant material in the tank.

[FishyPastor]

I don't see why not?If the tank is large enough.Flag fish are tough little buggers,especially when breeding.They like plant material in the tank.

I have my GF in a 65 gallon with two plecos. no heater.

[lotus flower]

I wanted to get some of these guys, but was worried I wouldn't have room if they spawned (which apparently they do with frequency!)

I did read that spawning mops work particularly well them.

Bonus points for not needing a heater! Also, they wouldn't mind the slightly alkaline, soft water I have around here. Hehe.

[thebigdiv]

I have 2 of them over here in Scotland. Got them at a huge chain store Pets at home. Lasted me for ages. Nice to watch under the lights :)