American Flagfish Keeping & Breeding | Species Profile

[@happyscrub]

was hard finding a good video on this fish. thanks

[@DansFish]

You are welcome, happyscrub. They are pretty awesome as far as I'm concerned.

[@cole3967]

They have some funny behaviors! We had a pair, they were bullies in a community tank🙄 but in a species tank 👌. They would play tag, dig around, squeeze into tight spots! Kinda remind me of Bulldogs Thanks for doing this video, another underrated fish like the Black Neon imo

[@edmorris1437]

These are really nice fish, and I find myself just sitting and watching them at times. I didn’t expect that, because I originally got them to deal with hair algae. They may nip on guppy tails, but honestly I was surprised that they largely left guppy & platy fry alone. I suspect they eat snails or snail eggs, but I have not caught them doing that yet.

[@DansFish]

Thanks for sharing your experience with these beauties.

[@LeahBTravelin91]

so. ive kept these guys for about 5 years. they do in fact eat hair algae. i currently have two males and 5 females and most of the time the males are chill with each other, but spawning they arent fans. they also loooove duckweed, decimated 10 cups in about two weeks. i actually had to buy some because there was nothing left. im attemping an intentional spawn right now and thats why im here!

[@DansFish]

Hope they spawn for you and you get lots of babies!

[@ClickerTrainer1]

Very helpful to hear about the males not being good together unless in a large group. Thank you!

[@gluumyfishy]

I was planning to start a community tank and forgot to bleach dip all my plants, and a week later.. BAM. Three tiny little babies popped out that I'm starting to think are these guys. Watching in a mild panic. I've found five baby snails so far, too... Thank you for making this

[@hansharreveld]

Hello Dan. Thank you for this VID. I have 3 males and 6 women now. This week suddenly they layed 400+ eggs. In mops in 5 days. Onely 1 male mates with all the females. The male is defending the mop very agressive. I gave him a new mop every day. I took all the eggs out, and since yesterday they all hatch. Thank you for sharring!

[@DansFish]

Wow...400+ eggs. They must feel the seasons changing. Congrats and have fun raising those babies!

[@zx7trev]

These fish thrive in the freshwater canals in Florida which are primarily rain water. They are fun to catch in the wild.

[@kaleidstone8609]

I’m going to be getting a flag fish on Saturday so that’s why I’m here

[@DansFish]

Howdy Kaleid, Did you end up getting the fish? If so, how do you like them? I think they are a cool species.

[@hilblue6224]

Happy New Year Dan! Super healthy looking babies, they will have gorgeous pattern too. Did not know all that info about Flagfish, you are making me want them! Well done.

[@DansFish]

Well, I happen to have a couple hundred young ones that will be ready to sell in a few weeks....:)

[@hilblue6224]

It's times like this I wish I didn't live in Liverpool UK.....:( There will be some lucky fishfam to get them. :)

[@DansFish]

:)

[@diggerjones4613]

Dan this is why I sub Chanel's,great info ,video, all the little tips that keep me passionate about the hobby, thank you.keep up the great vids.

[@DansFish]

fishooks, Thanks my friend! Glad you enjoy the vids.

[@lithabelle8001]

Great video of a fish I hope to keep at some point soon. I really like these in depth looks at the whole process of keeping and breeding a particular species. Cheers

[@bradsmithstudios8881]

Thanks for this video. I special ordered a few of these guys to tackle hair algae in my main display tank and really fell in love with them, and think I wanna start breeding them. Your video is exactly what I needed.

[@sedaquatics7277]

Another great video Dan. Amazes me how much you know about the hobby. Happy New year from across the pond !

[@just4fun-family145]

Happy new year Dan, your videos are always great and so informative. I hope to one day know as much about the hobby as you do and your videos are helping me get there! Thanks brother have a great new year I wish you all the success and joy in the hobby.

[@DansFish]

Just4fun, Thanks for the thanks, and thanks right back to you! Happy New Year!

[@yenyaoming]

This is one fish I've been wanting to keep and breed. Hopefully I can keep them soon.

[@djc20]

Very informative, great video

[@mrtang1960]

Hey Dan ! Really enjoyed some one else that like flag fish! Great vido! Thank you Fish Lounger. Noah

[@DansFish]

Thanks Noah. I know they are a dime a dozen, but they are still amazing!

[@HelenT-xv6zm]

I have a 20 gallon that is looking for some fish. Would this work as a species tank or should I just have a pair in a live bearer community? I bought these years ago at Woolworth’s along with a couple of banded sunfish. I loved that tank.

[@MWilk098]

I really want to get some of these guys but I love my plants. Would fast growing plants be able to keep up with their appetite?

[@Hangar77]

Cool! Very interesting fish. Thanks for sharing!

[@DansFish]

Howdy Hangar, You are welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@johnd5805]

Dan would two of these work with 6 zebra danios and 6 white clouds in a 20 long tank? I've just discovered these today and loved the colors. Would they eat my cherry and grass shrimp?

[@DansFish]

I tend to keep these killies by themselves. They can be nippy. However, that combo might work out for you...I've never tried it so I don't really know.

[@DansFish]

The fish combo, that is. They will definitely eat the shrimp during the molt.

[@johnd5805]

@@DansFish thanks. I'm going to keep them in another tank

[@EdgarHernandez-xz6eq]

nice keep it up ohhh the gulf coast pygmy sunfish more on that species

[@adamworley196]

Would you recommend keeping one male and one female as a species display tank. Thinking sturdier plants around the back and sides and maybe a couple of cave hides. Not worried about raising fry and any incidentals that make it to adolescence will be gifted out or traded in for a little store credit from the LFS. With this in mind, what tank size would you recommend, if it's ok for a single pair to cohabitate with nothing else?

[@DansFish]

It could work, but I think you would want lots of plants and hides. My concern is that the male might focus trying to breed the female so often that she will get stressed. I think this is a fish that does best in groups to spread the aggression/breeding attention. I don't have a specific tank size recommendation for you...as long as it is setup so the female can get away when she wants, I'm not sure the tank size matters that much.

[@adamworley196]

@@DansFish Thank you! I'm so excited to keep these little guys, I just want to make sure I had a proper environment for them!

[@alscritters156]

Love the informative fish, looking to getting some flagfish myself!

[@DansFish]

They are super cool fish, Al...I hope you get some to enjoy.

[@benboone007]

Great video! Just got some flag fish and would love to raise some babies! Subscribed and hope to see more good stuff :)

[@DansFish]

Howdy Ben, Thanks for the comment and the sub! Best, Dan

[@FishmanEricRussell]

Cool fish and you are taking great care of them

[@DansFish]

Thanks Fishman!

[@sabianstringer2112]

What about Using Rainwater that is Sponge Filtered and has a UVC light in Holding Tank....I use water for my fish tanks and hydroponic setup.....Florida Rainwater PH of around 7.5 ....Rainwater naturally has H202......Great Video btw....

[@scowntownaquatics1291]

Nice! I'd like to get some of these from you when they're ready!

[@DansFish]

ScowTown, They are awesome! I'll hit you up when the babies have grown out a bit.

[@elainehornshaw6876]

Do you put an air stone in the egg container while waiting for them to hatch. And how do you keep the water from getting too cold

[@joeygarcia8295]

If you are keeping South American Cichlids like Rams or Discus and have hard water (i.e., above 8.0) then yes, you did need to lower the pH to levels acceptable for them.

[@timpekarek9159]

Readily available ? I have always thought Flagfish to be cool. I have never seen them in a St Louis fish store.

[@DansFish]

Time to move to FL...then you can just catch them in your back yard :)

[@Tatertotindeed]

Hey! Not sure if you'll respond soon enough, but my flag fish bred in a community tank of mine. I wasn't planning on hatching eggs, but do you think they'd survive in my shrimp and snail only tank?

[@ericclarington565]

Yes I've had some do it in my tank. My substrate was a soft gravel bottom and they made a nest in the gravel and had seen the babies grow. The tank also had live plants which the babies would hide in.

[@brettlamar118]

Did you let the fry grow out in the same tank as the parents?

[@bobbysuejabat8119]

how do you change he fry water with out looing the hatchlings?

[@DansFish]

I pour it out from a corner very carefully. It is probably a good idea to pour it through a brine shrimp net just in case a baby dashes out during the process.

[@harrytomlinson7562]

Hi Dan, really insightful video! Do you think it would be fine to add a pair to a 15 gal tank with a several white clouds or would they be too aggressive? Thanks

[@DansFish]

Harry, It might work since the white clouds are such fast little fish. I've seen Flagfish in several community tanks. If you have a group of flagfish, your odds are better because they focus more on each other than the other fish. However, I'd always have a plan B ready just in case they go agro.

[@Xray2j]

thank you. i liked the video

[@DansFish]

Glad you liked it, John. Thanks for watching.

[@kinglyzard]

Just ordered 3 for my brackish; I got a bonus for total of 4. All seem to have internal parasites. They have pinched bellies. They all seem to like brine shrimp, so they're eating. Will API General Cure do the trick?

[@IslandDustin]

Is that just a regular mop that you put on the floor of the tank? Like, woven cotton threads that you use to clean the floor with? I saw something similar where the guy took a plastic tarp and unwove it into a sort of clump of plastic/nylon "grass" for fry...

[@DansFish]

Howdy, Dustin. I use acrylic yarn for the mops. Here's a vid on how it is done: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJOmk4eEls2Cgrs

[@theaverageshootist]

Hi Dan. Your channel is great. It's one of my favorites. I have 2 male Flag Fish in a heavily planted 20 long. They are the only fish in there and have been living peacefully for over a year. I have 3 females in a 10 gallon where I have quarantined them for several months. I'd like to add the females with the males but I'm worried this might make the males aggressive with one another. What's your opinion? I have a modest fish room so I have plenty of plan b's, c's and d's available.

[@DansFish]

Hello Garrett, Thanks for the query. Personally, if breeding was the goal, I'd leave the females in the 10 gallon, put in a sinking spawning mop, and move in a male for a couple of days. You will probably get LOTS of eggs. after a couple of days, remove the male, fatten the females up for a week or so, and then put in the 2nd male. Repeat until you have so many fry you have to build a warehouse. But that is just for breeding. You can totally add the females. The males might get a bit fired up, but, if they have objects on each side of the tank to establish a territory on, and a line of sight block (rock, driftwood, PVC, or something) dividing the tank, you will probably be okay for the long term. Of course they could also go agro, so keep those backup plans handy just in case :)

[@ThunderStruck15]

Dans Fish so can you separate the fry by sex to keep from community breeding?

[@dianecapp1768]

I live in Florida and have been thinking about getting some of these guys... I have a few questions. How big do they get ? How many do you recommend to keep in a group and How many in a 20 gallon long ?

[@mattjohnson8266]

awesome video, so I'm new to fishkeeping on my own, but i was wondering what your thoughts on this potential 10g stock list would be: 1 betta, 6 tetra, 4 cory, 2 flagfish? just dont want the corys or betta getting involved with the flagfish, but they'd be a perfect fourth species to round out the mix

[@RobertoGonzalez-my8um]

Get a 20 gallon

[@alexsaquatics7620]

Thanks dan

[@DansFish]

You got it, ABF

[@jonathanknaisch2295]

Hi Dan, awesome video! Question, I’ve had the flag fish for a couple months now. I have one male and two female. The other day I added two bosmani rainbow fish, one male and one female. I was looking at my tank today and noticed the fins of both rainbows torn apart. I noticed the male flagfish was nipping at them constantly. Is this normal for them? And he was only nipping at the rainbows not any of the other fish Thanks!

[@DansFish]

Hello Jonathan, This can happen with flagfish...especially if they are not in a large group of their own kind. The new fish go straight to the bottom of the tank pecking order. The scared and timid behavior of new fish signals weakness, and the flag fish will hone in on weakness. Hopefully the behavior goes away quickly once the bosmanis settle in. One trick to prevent this is to move the flag fish out of the tank, put the bosemani (or other new fish) in the tank, and then return the flag fish to the tank in a couple of days when the new fish have had a chance to settle in. Hope that helps!

[@garyadamsgma1495]

How do you do the waterchanges and not lose any eggs or fry?

[@Rews-fish-shed]

I have a question or two for you. Will they eat their own eggs/ fry if they are in a well planted tank? What is your suggested purchase number of fish to start a tank with?

[@DansFish]

Hello Robert, They will sometimes eat their own eggs and fry, but, in a heavily planted tank, enough will survive to eventually create a colony. I think starting with a pair or trio is just fine in a well planted tank. I prefer to have a large group myself, but a pair is fine too.

[@terrywho22]

Nice vid! How do you think they would do with the schools of smaller rasbora, like chilis or CPDs?

[@DansFish]

The MIGHT be okay if the other fish are well established before the flag fish are introduced, but I'd have a plan B ready because flag fish can be nippy and a nip on a fish as small as those species could be serious.

[@terrywho22]

@@DansFish Are the females any less nippy than the males? Thanks for the reply!

[@DansFish]

A bit, but they are still nippy.

[@terrywho22]

​@@DansFish OK, just picked up a female that's a shade under 3/4" long. I was a bit worried as the only local shop that had decent, small FFF just received them in and the attrition rate wasn't great, but she's doing well alone in a small quarantine tank (unheated, indoors, with aged water.) Tested out some frozen food and an algae wafer and both have been nibbled at. However, her goto foods right now are some green hair algae I collected from another tank and the exposed roots of some Cryptocoryne wendtii. I've read that people have had good luck keeping FFF/AFF with white cloud minnows, so I'm hoping my micro rasbora will also fair well. Time will tell.

[@DansFish]

Glad to hear you found one!

[@kinglyzard]

How long is the incubation? Temp around 82°F

[@outdoorsfish2859]

Mine have spawned and I’ve put the eggs in a separate container how long before they hatch?

[@jordanwilde9226]

You mentioned they eat plants. Would it be a bad idea to add them to a large planted setup?

[@GreenCanvasInteriorscape]

It's been said that fire is hot, should I put my hand in the fire?

[@josephbroadus]

Mine spawned like sunfish. Small pit in the corner of the tank.

[@angiesteinbach4113]

Hi Dan, Newly subscribed. I have a 10 gal tank that i want to stock. looking at something different as far as fish. What kind of moss is this in the tank in this vid.? I have had tanks for years. so i am experienced with fish, I now reduced my tanks to a 30 gal, and 2 10 gals, I s there something you can sugest? Thanks. Angie

[@DansFish]

Hello, Angie. The plant is Java Moss. For something different in a 10 gallon tank, you can't go wrong with some of the more common/hardy species of killifish. Fundulopanchax gardneri, Aphyosemion australe, Aphyosemion striatum...those might get you started down the rabbit hole.

[@angiesteinbach4113]

Thank You

[@raynfir638]

Beautiful fish, fun to have, but i have yet to find other fish they can be with. 4 of these destroyed a massive BBA outbreak in a 40b in a weeks time. The only fish i have though that they didnt attack was a siamese algae eater and large gouramies. Everything else from guppies to cory cats they will shred fins once they establish territory. Species only tank is a must.

[@DansFish]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us!

[@andreashessler838]

It's interesting. I have a male in with a female betta and a male golden wonder killi fish, also a small school of danio choprae (all in a 30 gallon). Everything gets on great and the flagfish is super peaceful. He follows the GWK around like a little dog. They are excellent for clearing up green gair algae.

[@raynfir638]

@@andreashessler838 you have one, the secret killer cichlid style behaviour comes out when you have pairs and they decide to spawn, these things will chase and nip any thing.

[@andreashessler838]

@@raynfir638 I don't plan on adding to him. He is like a little bulldog chiclid (without the aggression). Just bumbles around. They really come into their own after a few months when they get some size and colour. I'm in the UK and these are absolutely not common.

[@raynfir638]

@@andreashessler838 oh they are a beautiful killifish and i do like them, just be aware that adding more will make problems. They are native here i. The u.s. but hard to find as well, i see them maybe twice a year. I'll have a big batch one day when i can give them the room.

[@rrrrrr-ry3cn]

What size tank do you keep them in?

[@mqcapps]

Caught them wild in Virginia tidewater area...they swim in shoals

[@kinglyzard]

Will they get along with mollies?

[@mqcapps]

@@kinglyzard yep...because mollies are in the same "ecosystem"...brackish tidal areas

[@happyscrub]

I have a question for you. How long do your fish live? All my flag fish don't last longer than a year (don't know how old they are when I buy them). They all show breeding behavior, but months later the females get bladder condition and stay sunk to the bottom until they die weeks later. All the males stay active, looking healthy but then suddenly die out of no where. (I haven't tried to breed them yet). Just wondering if your fish do the same in old age.

[@DansFish]

I have never kept exact age records, but I would say they usually live 2-3 years. Of course, if you don't know how old they are to begin with, it could totally be age. Usually, though, if an entire group dies off suddenly, it is not age. When a group of fish die of age, they go very gradually. Just my 2 cents.

[@MrNick01]

How cold hardy are these? Anyone in a colder climate keeping them in a pond?

[@HAlves-ip9cn]

Are they shrimp safe? at least adult neocaridina?

[@DansFish]

Oh, no. They will destroy shrimp on contact. Even big ghost shrimp are probably no match for these guys.

[@dalesnipes8480]

Hello, How do the Flag Fish get along with Oscars and other cichlids?

[@DansFish]

Hello Dale, They would be snacks for oscars. They might do okay with some of the more dwarf cichlid species like Pelvicachromis, but I've never tried it personally.

[@dalesnipes8480]

Thank you for such a quick answer. My Oscar is a "youngster" and only about 3", but will definitely grow. I have several smaller cichlids and a large Plecostomus. He, though is not doing a very good job of keeping the algae cleared off the glass. I was hoping to find another fish that would help him. Your web info. is excellent and very informative. Great job. Dale

[@roberttintinger1868]

Will the breed in a pond?

[@lilworm654]

Can they live with cichlids in a 75 gallon

[@lightwavz]

I have finally narrowed down my tank options to a breeding community of these and 3 golden dojo loaches in a 29 gallon. This will be my very first killifish breeding experience @_@ Are you still offering these up to buyers?

[@DansFish]

Howdy Terri, I hope you enjoy your colony of these fish...they are super fun to watch in a group! I don't have any for sale...they just did not ship well in my water so I stopped producing them. Still, these remain one of my favorite fish!

[@bonniew1992]

@@DansFish I'm really sorry to hear that you don't have any more of these. I got the only two they had from my closest lfs about an hour from my house, and they have survived, but the male isn't thriving. The female is a pig. But I really liked the looks of yours, and you definitely have the best video on them, so I was hoping to get some more from you. Oh well, hopefully you will change your mind or can recommend a good alternate source.

[@theamazing10yearold65]

Are these considered tropical fish?

[@kinglyzard]

I have a male and a trio of females. Lately, he's been kicking their asses, and just now I noticed him fanning around on a mossy log. I got an LED flashlight and noticed around a dozen or so shiny eggs in amongst the algae. October Surprise! He does seem to fan and defend the eggs against the females. I recently had to separate them from the community brackish tank because of their nippy attitudes. The only problem is that they went from a 55g to a 20gH. Need to add more plants.

[@ramusbadisfish6582]

Would the get along with a Betta? I heard of people keeping them together

[@DansFish]

Howdy Umar, They MIGHT get along with a betta. The main issue would be that they may nip elongated fins. I would think a plakat would be a safer bet than a halfmoon or the like. Also, bettas need a protein rich food while flagfish enjoy veggies. Both will do well at higher temps, so that is not an issue. I think it could be done, it would just be a question of getting the right food to the right fish or mixing protein and veggies foods enough that everyone gets the nutrition they need. Also, having a backup tank ready to separate the fish if anything goes wrong might be in order. If you do choose to try this, I'd be interested in knowing how it goes! Best, Dan

[@ramusbadisfish6582]

@@DansFishThank you for the advice! I'll definitely let you know I'm planning to add an imbellis betta if I can get one, i never heard of this species until recently actually, my last fish had recently passed after having him for YEARS since I started highschool just about, now I'm a freshman in college, so after he passed the tank just kinda was just there over taken by hair algae, I wanted to make it lively again so I went to my local aquarium and they suggested the Florida flag fish, I love these guys they're awesome fish, fun to watch, though little timid but showed that hair algae who owns the tank, so I wanted something that would come and greet me and I remembered my trip to Thailand and the huge pots with beautiful water lilies filled with tetras and/ Molly's and this magnificent betta which I've never seen in America, just come up in such a way that caught my eye, not shy, and just kinda of a show off, looked them up, and turns out they're called imbellis bettas, so that gave me the inspiration to try and get one of them to be like the star of the tank, with such a beautiful pattern and color, and I just love bettas personalities, so I hope it works out for my tank. probably going to load up a little on my plants though first, got a couple Anubias, and a bunch of anacharis in the background but need to add more I just don't want anacharis every where

[@ramusbadisfish6582]

@@DansFish well I have change in plans now, no more betta, probably a species only tank now kinda, one male has started to spawn and took over half of the tank , he's not aggressive to the algae eaters but keeps the other flag fish in the other half of the tank, it's interesting to watch, he gaurds the corner and does some weird fanning motion on the bottom of the gravel, I'm planning on adding more plants, it's 6 flag fish total along with two Chinese algae eaters in a 29 gallon tank But he even goes after the females, however this did not occur before I added more plants but I'm thinking if I add more it will be easier for the conflict to defuse I did not plan on breeding them intentionally, but it's just a really interesting process, say if some end up surviving I think I'll take them over to my local mom and pop fish store and see if they'll take them hopefully, if they survive in the tank

[@DansFish]

Howdy Umar, Congrats on breeding them. They truly are a wonderful species and so much fun to watch display when they are in breeding mode!

[@TheRicoBentley]

I have this fish in a community tank

[@DansFish]

Cool. Glad it is working out for you!

[@scottiethefishfreak]

very delayed replay crew - great video!

[@DansFish]

SCOTTTTTIIIIIEEEEEEE!!!!

[@devindonovan8201]

Their feisty behavior and coloration... Its no wonder they were mistaken for sunfish for so long haha

[@DansFish]

IKR!

[@TheBSideDJ]

how old do they get ?

[@DansFish]

I'd say they can probably go from 3 - 5 years, depending on temperature an other environmental factors.

[@lawfullyblind8403]

Would they eat duckweed?

[@DansFish]

I am sure they would chow down on duckweed.

[@lawfullyblind8403]

Dans Fish this video is awesome, really informative.

[@DansFish]

Thanks, Thomas. Glad you liked it!

[@andrewlarson9633]

@13:16 nightmare fuel

[@FusionDeveloper]

They will go out of their way to eat the eyes off Ramshorn snails. They grow back, but it still is unpleasant. I suspect they believe it is black beard algae because they love to eat that.

[@brandonlasvegas]

😎

[@DansFish]

🕶😀🎸

[@nursebeckus1643]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@DansFish]

🕶🎸

[@josephstanley200]

You had me till you said they eat plants then I was wellllllll nope I love my plants

[@DansFish]

Oh, yes. They will definitely reduce most plants to fish poop :)

[@spiraleena9237]

They don’t eat any of my plants FYI

[@heaven7360]

I had to remove my flag fishes cause they were chasing and nipping at my corys ... ARG!!! It's been torture. They are so nasty. Hopefully I can get a nice group somehow hoping they all don't kill each other like your group here. I HATE aggressive fish so I'm disappointed with them as they are a very interesting fish to look at.

[@thefishylife6823]

I love their lips!!! They have a face only a mother could love!

[@richmick1362]

Anybody ever breed these in a colony with enough hiding places?

[@jordanbrettabbott]

The glaring typographical error in your channel’s name is abhorrent. It should be “Dan’s Fish.”

[@eisque]

This fish doesn't look like American flag. Japanese flag fish tho

[@DansFish]

With the big dot in the middle of the body? I can see that.

[@brandoncalloway6476]

Nah, that's a red cap oranda. Lol

[@jrich436]

American, Flag Fish as in from America Not American Flag Fish as in fish that looks like an American Flag 😋

[@spiraleena9237]

j rich that’s actually exactly why they are called that lol you can google and see, especially with dark substrate and vivid colors.

[@pjjordan5491]

Dan try concentrate more on the fish and not soo much ur face . We need to hear ur voice not see ur mug . Good work other wise .

[@bossbullyboy195]

How long does it take from spawn to hatch for Flagfish?

[@DansFish]

Howdy Boss, It is temperature dependent. I believe mine hatched in about 10 days in the mid-upper 70's F.

[@DansFish]

But I should say that I don't tend to keep track of exactly how long it takes them to hatch, so 10 days is a bit of a rough guess.

[@bossbullyboy195]

Thanks for the info, i just started keeping them as my first pupfish....great addition to the killifish rack though for sure.

[@DansFish]

I agree. They absolutely sparkle. I love having them around.

[@bossbullyboy195]

I think im going Elassoma asap