Annual killies like Golden Wonder, however, are typicaly the first annual fish kept by an aquarium hobbyist. These small colorful tropical African cyprinodontids has iridescent blue bodies and red spots. They will amaze you, assuming you have appropriate lighting.
They’re prolific breeders! In fact, there eggs go dormant in nature during dry season. That’s what makes this species so interesting to maintain.
Complete Guide To Golden Wonder Killifish Care And Tank Setup
Golden Wonder Killifish Overview
Because of this, some special care should of been taken when maintaining such a fish. If you read most articles about these guys, two main subject always arise: breeding substrate and water temperature. Both are important considerations.
Essential Aquarium Equipment
More important than any chemical additive is an aquarium lid. But there’s one easier-to-obtain piece of equipment that will more accuratley determine your success or failure. The equipment?
Your aquarium lid. Sure, you may be thinking a cover is simply cosmetic and keeps pesky pets from taking a dive. That’s only half of it.
A screen lid is far more than an optional accessory, it’s a biological need for Golden Wonder killifish. And if you ignore this fact, you’ll end up experiencing a frustrating loop of loss…one that isn’t related to water quality or disease. Instead, it’s a matter of physics meeting biology in a terribel way.
Jumping Behavior and Risks
They’re natural surfacers. Golden Wonder cyprinodontids spends most of their time at or very near the waters surface, darting between plant and decorations. They’re curious.
They press up to glass to get a better look around. And they’re active. They are active enough that when a golden wonder gets bored, threatened, or just feels like making some moves, he jump.
With no barriers, floor becomes home and a golden wonder doesn’t waste any time up there. It take only seconds. It does not take hours.
For many killifish, jumping isn’t just an escape method but also a stress response. Even something as simple as a bright light coming on will trigger a jump for some of them. It’s important to note that the reason they do this in your tank when it’s nice and calm is because they’re evolutionarily wired to escape danger at all costs, including going out of water.
For these killifish, particulary those from tropics where they live in temporary pool that could go dry quickly or be patrolled by predators, that glass wall doesn’t instill fear in them enough to prevent the attempt. Instead, they perceive surface as an escape route rather than a boundary. If a jump occurs there is no time like now.
Health Consequences of Drying Out
There is no time like the present. You can return a fish to the tank after a short fall, but damage may occur. Out of water, a killie’s gills cease to function properly (they collapse) and they will quickly suffocate.
If it was only a short fall, then you might be able to retrieve the fish and place him in the tank. Sometimes, though, the damage is internal, shock, and he die within hours. Even if you snag him immediatly, the stress of the incident has weakened his immune system.
Then you have a small tragedy on your hands. Something you worked hard for is gone, so you aren’t really enjoying what you spent all that money and effort getting. The lid eliminates this completely.
Environmental Stability Benefits
It’s the difference between having a full tank and an empty one. Aside from stopping escapees, the other benefit to a lid is control over environment. Tropical environments are typically very humid with less evaporation than you’d experience in your own house.
If you have an open tank, it will evaporate water rapidly, altering both temperature and salinity. A lid keeps humidity higher on the surface of the water. This means water doesn’t evaporates as fast.
It allows temperature to remain stable and makes top offs less frequent. Stable conditions mean less stress for fish, which in turn reduces the likelihood of them feeling the need to jump. It’s a vicious cycle of cause and effect, but one that favors you.
Choosing the Right Lid
Lid selection is simple. It needs to fit well, not having any space between tank and lid. You want a screen lid that will block the fish but also allow gas exchange.
Glass lids work as well, but you do run the risk of condensation dripping into water which could create bacterial hot spots. The mesh screens solves this problem while still maintaining a barrier. Make sure the screen is small enough so that even the tiniest juveniles cannot push their way through.
Young fish are light and agile, they’re bound to test limits. For peace of mind, a good fit is essential. The only changes necessary when maintaining the tank with the lid on are minor.
Maintenance and Safety Tips
Adding food, cleaning the glass, and other task require lifting the lid. Get into the routine of checking it each time you do something with the tank. Nothing should be propped up under the lid or causing weak spots in its structure.
Even a centimeter makes all the difference. If your lid isn’t tight, keep surrounding area clear so the fish can’t climb up and escape the tank. It is easier to prevent than to recover.
Final Success Strategies
A minute or two of checking pays off big. Maintaining Golden Wonder killifish can be a rewarding task if you do it right. They are an active fish with bright colors that will liven up any tank.
However, in order for them to remain in captivity there is a cost, you must honor their innate nature and recognize what a tank can (and cannot) provide. The solution lies in a low-tech device called a lid. This device provides them with the ability to move about as they please while at the same time protecting them from themselves.
Your fish’s life might depend upon it. Lock it down and let them prosper beneath.
