The Complete Guide To The Rocket Killifish / Clown Killifish

A detailed look at how to properly care for and breed the rocket killifish / clown killifish. With information about how to set up their tank, water parameters, choosing tank mates, tanks size, what to feed them, and how to breed them.
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[@nicksweeney5176]

As a very distinguished older gentlemen of much distinction & charm, I can say I remember the days of the booming mail-around hobbyist trade in Killies. Eggs withstood most admirably, the rigors of postal travel (within reasonable seasonal parameters). Racks, window shelves, counter-tops, hosting 2½G and 5G tanks, even wide-mouth #10 jars, with tannin-stained water so dark, it was impenetrable, beyond one inch. These jars and tanks would be packed tight with Moss (if lighting permitted), or, with Boilt Yarn; yarn either assembled into breeding mops, or, as commonly, just shoved in there, in loose handfuls, of foot-long strands. The darkening/enriching tannins were, very handily and affordably, single-serve Tea Bags; best of which brands were Red Rose, Tetley and Lipton. Over-tanning their waters didn't seem to happen, and, the redder/browner their waters, the better they seemed to love it. The less they had ever to see you, or, to see you seeing them, much the better. Opaque red water and a jungle mass of habitat (Moss or Yarn) filling at least ⅔ of their available water volume, made them the ideal home. Rant/reminiscence over.

[@TheDave333]

Greetings and salutations! Your eloquence is always a treat. . . I was introduced to this hobby by a gentleman who kept killifish exclusively, and most of his tanks were just as you described. In fact, my very first fish was a Nothobranchius guentheri gifted to me as a bunch of eggs in a bag of peat moss. I was amazed that these beautiful fish could spring to life from what to me looked like a bag of dirt. I was flabbergasted by their life history. . . And that is how I got hooked on this hobby. (Pun intended) That was over 30 years ago. . . And now you're comment has inspired me to return to my roots and try to find their eggs or maybe even some fry and begin keeping them again. It would make an amazing video! Thanks for watching.

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

Nice to see you again, Dave.

[@TheDave333]

Hello Chi! It's nice to be here. Were you able to identify that stingray?

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

@@TheDave333 It was an Atlantic stingray.

[@TheDave333]

Nice! That makes sense.

[@Tipman2OOO]

​@@chisaquaticvibe6524, dave.

[@audrameyer9558]

Dave, your Rocket Killies are gorgeous! I wish you so much success with breeding them. I love the suggestion to fill small holes in tank lids with filter floss! 🤯😁

[@TheDave333]

Thanks Audra! 😁

[@petecross9470]

What stunning little fish, those eyes! I wish you every success with your breeding project too. Ones day cannot fail to be improved by an upload from The Dave! Thank you sir!

[@TheDave333]

Thank you very much!

[@aquahobby1982]

What e beautiful story being told in such a aesthetic manner...❤❤ thanks for bringing such beautiful video.

[@TheDave333]

You're very welcome. Thanks for watching my videos and taking the time to leave a comment. 😁

[@andystokes8702]

Awesome camera work, as always.

[@TheDave333]

I appreciate that 😁😁😁

[@Gabrielaalvarezdogmom]

Definitely want some. They're beautiful and look like they're full of personality 😍

[@TheDave333]

They are beautiful and fun to keep. Be sure to keep the tank completely covered. 😁

[@Gabrielaalvarezdogmom]

@@TheDave333 yep. Got a tight fitting lid and low flow in an established tank. 🥰

[@TheDave333]

Perfect!

[@mirmetch1]

Amazing and informative video thank you so much

[@TheDave333]

You're very welcome. It's my pleasure, I love making them. 😁

[@pelhamsaquatics]

Another absolutely fantastic video Dave! Thank you thank you thank you! Clown killifish is a stunning nano, and one that’s been on my list for sometime now. Thank you for showcasing the species and have a wonderful day yourself.

[@TheDave333]

You're very welcome. Thank you for talking the time to watch the video and leave a comment. I appreciate the love,

[@tamarrajames3590]

Such pretty fish…I love their rocket flame tails, and gas fire blue eyes. You make everything you show us truly beautiful, and understandable as well. Your fish are always so healthy looking they are breathtaking to watch. Thank you so much for sharing these beauties with us, along with good information about their care and feeding. I hope you are well and happy.🤗🖤🇨🇦

[@TheDave333]

Hello Lady of the North. 🤗🖤 Thanks for watching my videos and always taking the time to leave such a nice comment. Your interactions really help. I am well, thank you for asking. Happy and staying positive. I wish you and your loved ones all the best. 🤗🖤

[@tamarrajames3590]

@@TheDave333 It is always a pleasure to touch base with you. I have many flowers in the garden now, and lots of wildlife enjoying the yard. I have had a rough patch for awhile, and am adjusting to a loss that changes my life massively, so it is a comfort to visit old friends like you, that remind me of the good things…thank you.🖤🇨🇦

[@TheDave333]

I'm so sorry to hear that you've experienced some troubles. You're so sweet and kind with your comments, and I really appreciate your views on my work. I wish you nothing but the best. ❤️❤️❤️

[@tamarrajames3590]

@@TheDave333 Thank you Dave, it wasn’t unexpected, but that doesn’t make it less painful to adjust to. I’m happy the long battle is over for him, and that has to be enough. I think being nice to others is a better way to live than always finding fault and constantly competing. It gives you the chance to make friends, and your work is always beautiful. Your love for what you do adds depth to the quality you present, and you are always kind and sensitive to me as well, you feel like an old friend, and I like that about you.💖🖤🇨🇦

[@TheDave333]

It does feel like we're old friends. Stay strong and positive. ❤️❤️❤️ Dave

[@Chik_plays]

Really worthy knowledge 😊😊

[@TheDave333]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@moonpleco5083]

Little blue eyed pearls ! They are my dream fish since I have saw them on your previous video. As always video full of essential knowledge and tricks for fish keepers. Oak leaves, do you only dry them or additionally do any kind of disinfection before putting into aquarium?

[@TheDave333]

I only dry them, and then use them as needed. If I don't want too much tannic acid in the tank, I'll soak them overnight before I use them. Red and black oak are more acidic than white oaks.

[@PaulsFishroom]

Excellent photography as usual Dave. As far as feeding green water to very small fry is concerned, I’ve never had much luck so I’ve used infusoria with much greater success. 🤓👍

[@bobs5596]

green water contains infusoria naturally. and i have a microscope to prove it.

[@TheDave333]

Hello Paul. I'm not sure how much benefit the green water is for me as well, but I figure the microfauna in the tank might eat it and help them reproduce. ??? You know the whole circle of life thing. . . I use infusoria too which I culture from wheat berries. They work great!

[@PaulsFishroom]

@@TheDave333 I remember trying to feed Dwarf Gouramis fry on green water many years ago and didn’t raise a single fish. Whereas I’ve raised the smallest fry on infusoria eg the dwarf rainbow fish (M. parva) which are absolutely tiny.

[@TheDave333]

I appreciate your insight as always. I've visited your channel many times, so I know you speak from experience. Your wisdom is always appreciated. What infusoria recipe / method do you use?

[@PaulsFishroom]

@@TheDave333 thank you for that Dave - much appreciated. I cultivate infusoria with gram flour (available in Asian shops or online). I put a small amount in a test tube or similar with water to make a milky liquid. This liquid is added to the infusoria culture - just enough to turn the culture slightly milky. As the culture clears just repeat this feeding process. I’ve found this method to be very successful when cultivating infusoria. Hope this helps 🤓👍

[@DashDrones]

Amazing guide, No need for the water changes though👍

[@TheDave333]

Thanks for watching the video. 😁

[@uhmeee649]

You should have your own TV show for real

[@TheDave333]

That would be fun! 😁

[@stoneysscapes7544]

A + , everything is always the most enchanting of them all , and I only wish I could have some of the females, to give you. As I was watching and admiring my new aquarium that is being cycled and not sure what the inhabitants will be my new list will include the Rocket Kili

[@TheDave333]

That's awesome! Best of luck with the new tank.

[@CerealRaptor142]

Killifish are so cool! To bad they’re rare where I live

[@TheDave333]

They are a cool group of fish. Lots of different types.

[@tommykronkvist]

Thank you for a great video! I used to breed Epiplatus annulatus "Monrovia" back in the 1990's, using more or less the same method that you describe. It works well! Good luck with your own breeding attempts.

[@TheDave333]

Thank you so much!

[@sweetyluxmee3823]

thanks for great job love from Mauritius

[@TheDave333]

Thank you so much from Massachusetts, USA.

[@thedoujinguynico7315]

you should do a video on aquatic isopods and also have you heard of the green lace shrimp? Atyoida pilipes. they are like the bamboo shrimp and vampire shrimp but smaller. also i love you're videos and the way you make them is absolutely perfect.

[@TheDave333]

Thank you so much! I'll get some aquatic isopods at some point soon and film them. They'd make a great subject! I have heard of Green Lace shrimp, but I've never had any.

[@adithya4993]

Can you make a video on scarlet badis ( if you find them!!) would love to your comments on them

[@TheDave333]

They're on my list of fish to film and breed, but unfortunately the females are very very hard to find, and I tend to prioritize fish that I can breed. Hopefully, I can find some females in the near future.

[@div5730]

Cool lottle fish

[@TheDave333]

They really are. Killifish in general are so amazing. They're what got me started in this hobby many many years ago.

[@lord77339]

Hi dave have you ever tried hybridization of guppys and mollies?

[@TheDave333]

Not yet. Have you? Any insights?

[@herwandisoelaeman8012]

Beutiful ..

[@TheDave333]

Thanks!

[@corydorassterbai8659]

Question, could i grow live tubifex into a small container (1liter) around 0.25 gallons. As well, from where did u get SAFE daphnia and microfauna? Im living in a flat (apartment) so i dont have as many opportunities..

[@TheDave333]

I've never grown tubifex worms before, so I can't really say much about them. I have an outdoor tub (30 gallons / 114 liters) where I harvest mosquitoes, daphnia, and bloodworms. It would be hard to do in a flat unless you could have a large container of water outside, but your neighbors might not like the idea of growing mosquito larvae, daphnia etc. . . I consider it safe, and the only thing I worry about is introducing dragonfly or damselfly larvae into my fish tanks, so I'm very careful to inspect and sort everything before I use them.

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

Hey, Dave, mind if I share something interesting with you? I actually kept mummichogs and banded killifish!

[@TheDave333]

Hi Chi. You can always feel free to share with me. Like that rhyme? Love those Killifish.

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

I'd like to see The Hidden World of the Mummichog.

[@TheDave333]

The Daddichog wants to know what's up with that? 🦈

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

@@TheDave333 Dave! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@directconnectdc8917]

hi any new video abt this fish? and may i know what camera u use recording this video. thanks

[@TheDave333]

Hello and thanks for watching the video. I've added the camera information to the video description section. Have you see my other rocket killifish video? kzbin.info/www/bejne/joKtf4CvmNyCl5I

[@Shaden0040]

You should try water Sprite AKA Indian water fern Which is great for guppies I find it readily readily sometimes too much spreads they make their own babies and they're each fronds forks so if it looks like a hand you're going to get a baby sprouting between each finger. and the babies will even spread babies if you get a large enough parent plan and they can get up to like a foot across their roots will danger downwards for about a good six to 10 12 inches And they make excellent hiding spots for babies and to collecting eggs if you have egg layers. it's definitely prolific self propagator. and what's great about it it really sucks up the nitrogen and ammonia out of a tank And you can feed it to herboret animals such as chickens or iguanas tortoises and certain mammals you know like the small fuzzy guy and like rabbits and Whatnot the only thing is that plant matter dries out rather quickly So you want to give it to him pretty much quickly before it starts to dry out and they will love it especially the tortoise the tortoise will love it because it's full of water

[@TheDave333]

Thanks for the great ideas. For some reason water sprite never seems to live for very long in my tanks. I'm not sure why though. I've tried it several times and it always dies. Any thoughts as to why?

[@nicksweeney5176]

Please, punctuate. Short paragraphs. Neat, compact blocks of text. If you fail to comply, the consequences... ...☠️

[@TheDave333]

You're a riot Nick, and not a bit verbose or pedantic. 😁

[@TheDave333]

@nicksweeney5176 I have my own aqueous path, but thank you so much for trying to share yours. You're a real giver. . .

[@nicksweeney5176]

@@TheDave333 Oh, Mr. The Dave, I must've (quite unintentionally and very regrettably) come off as the pompous ass, who would make to inspire/pressure you to a path which is not your own.😟 I heavily regret having presented so; all the more, because I'd never presume to do so as a strike against your own manly integrity. You WILL die your own death, Mr. The Dave; and I would ONLY respect you, if you would live your own true and best life, before the inevitable. With your permission and by your leave, Mr. The Dave, I hereby petition your grace and forgiveness, that I may please be pardoned with excuse, that I'm lately narcotically medicated (having so recently had a knee sawn off and a replacement hammered in).

[@corydorassterbai8659]

I know its been a while, but from where did u get The live daphnia? My online fish whole saler sells live daphnia but they are insanely expensive and i dont wanna risk it until i learn how to care for Them..

[@TheDave333]

I grow them in my backyard in an outdoor tub of water when the weather is warm. The tub is also home to mosquito larva, and bloodworms. All three are food for my fish.

[@Gabrielaalvarezdogmom]

I want this fishy. It's been hard to find. Hopefully can order him with shrimp. ❤

[@TheDave333]

That's sounds like a great combination! 🦐🐠😁

[@Gabrielaalvarezdogmom]

Yes. I really want a cherry shrimp tank. Orange and blue. (I'm aware they'll mix over time) with endlers and clown killifish. sounds like a peaceful tank. 🥰

[@TheDave333]

That does sound like a nice mix of species. Best of luck. 😁

[@Gabrielaalvarezdogmom]

@@TheDave333 thank you! I love your videos so much. So educational and beautiful to watch!

[@Fkagkt]

Hey, dave, i am just wondering, may i work with you for videos? Like editing.. etc??

[@TheDave333]

No thank you. I prefer to work alone.

[@Fkagkt]

@@TheDave333 that’s fine

[@TheDave333]

No worries, sorry. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, I don't even like people watching me work.

[@Fkagkt]

@@TheDave333 its aright!

[@Fkagkt]

@@TheDave333 im perfectly fine with that!

[@Someoneonthisplanet1979]

hoe do you keep your floating plants like Frogbite from rotting when you cover the tank? in my own experience, the condensation water dripping down on the leaves harms the plants.

[@TheDave333]

You can angle the lid so that the falling water droplets fall at the back of the tank. I don't always do it that way, but I've found that it never really seems to bother them.

[@Someoneonthisplanet1979]

@@TheDave333 Thanks Dave, angle the lid is what i'm going to try!

[@TheDave333]

Excellent! I hope that it helps.

[@billschwarz1157]

Try Salvinia Cucullata if you have a top.

[@billschwarz1157]

How high can these fish jump?

[@TheDave333]

I've never tested it, but I'd say at least 2 inches ( 5 cm).

[@billschwarz1157]

@@TheDave333 Cheers Dave, currently cycling a tank for these dudes and some Jelly bean Tetra. Was gonna try them with no lid with the water level dropped 3 inches but that's probably not a good idea.

[@TheDave333]

Killifish are well known for their ability to jump. I wouldn't trust them in a tank with no lid. Best of luck with the new tank. Never kept jelly bean tetras, but they seem like really interesting fish. . . Have you seen my video on killifish jumping? kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5TUiWyPorCbeM0 It's one of my older ones where I use text rather than narration, but it's well worth watching. Cheers!

[@nicksweeney5176]

Firrrrst...!!! ✨️☝🏻🏆🥂🍾✨️ At least, that is, I mean, I'm begging a Charitable Indulgence Exemption, because, I know I WOULD've been Firrrrst, if I hadn't been in hospital, since yesterday. I've had a new knee installed; right side, this time.

[@TheDave333]

I kneel before you. Get well soon. 🦐🐠😁 🦈🐟🦐🦠 ❤🐠🦈🐟 🌻🌼🐝🤔 🌴

[@nicksweeney5176]

@TheDave333 Ooooh... So, you're showin' off; are ya? Still, thanks for all the piscene tokens and your well-wishes. I'll make the best of them all.

[@nicksweeney5176]

@@bobs5596 Did... What?

[@bobs5596]

@@nicksweeney5176 oops hit the reply instead of cancel. hope your knees do well for you. i have developed a trick knee in the last month. never know when the shot of pain is coming so i reflexively walk different now.

[@staychill6864]

Awesome channel, with cool fish videos as always, thank you.

[@TheDave333]

Thanks for watching!😁😁😁

[@grey7513]

Always love your work, and now you're covering my favorite fish.

[@TheDave333]

Thank you so much! Love my killifish too.

[@lenacar3881]

Ur KZbin is sooooo cool👏Would you like to make a video about our boots to your KZbin audience 🥰

[@TheDave333]

Thank you so much! 😁

[@lenacar3881]

@@TheDave333 Maybe I could get ur contact info, like email🥰.

[@TheDave333]

@lenacar3881 I can be reached at: [e-mail]

[@lenacar3881]

@@TheDave333Thx soooo much😘

[@lenacar3881]

@@TheDave333 Did u get my email?🥰 Happy Monday!

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

The sailfin snapper is a beautiful fish.

[@TheDave333]

They really are beautiful fish. I used to eat a lot of snapper in the Caribbean. Caught them spear fishing. . .

[@dexagalapagos]

Do they eat scuds or scuds too big for them?

[@TheDave333]

Great question! They'll eat small scuds, but the adults are a bit too big.

[@dexagalapagos]

@@TheDave333 I'm currently dealing with a scud infestation that ruined my plans for a peaceful 20 gallon tank with nano fish and shrimp. Any ideas of what might be the smallest fish that would eat adult scuds but not eat chili rasboras?

[@TheDave333]

That's a tough one! Unfortunately I don't have a good answer for you.

[@vivekbooshan9954]

@@dexagalapagosIt really depends on how bad the infestation is, but sparkling gouramis or a couple of scarlet badis might do the trick. The badis are quite active micropredators but they won’t do anything to your rasboras. They’ll eat scuds of any size and they’re not a huge bioload. I have heard that assassin snails will also eat them, but not too sure about that.

[@billschwarz1157]

@@dexagalapagos Dwarf puffers. They'll kill them all even if they're full and probably your neocaridina if you have those shrimp too. They don't go after fish tho, in fact they are bullied by my Scarlet Badis.

[@mattheide2775]

❤

[@TheDave333]

😁