Family: Aplocheilidae
Distribution: Common to the Congo River Basin, Gabon, the Congo, Zaire and Cameroon make up the habitat for Epiplatys multifasciatus. They have a preference for slow-moving or still waters found in streams, small rivers and brooks. They are also found most commonly under forest cover.
PH: 6.5 – 7.0 pH
Temperature: 22 – 26°C (72 – 79 °F)
Hardness: 5 – 8 dH
Description: Displaying reddish-brown colours and black transverse bars along their bodies, Epiplatys multifasciatus have extended caudal fins and will develop to around 5-7cm. They also present with spots and radial lines on their fins.
They are surface dwellers; however, they prefer light that has been filtered through plants and leaves, so the tank set-up should include floating plants and densely-planted sides. Hiding places are required due to the aggressive nature of the males. Having a dark substrate in the tank will show the colours of Epiplatys multifasciatus to their best.
The tank should also have a tightly-fitted lid as this species are good jumpers.
These are not seasonal killifish.
Diet: Epiplatys multifasciatus prefer a live food diet such as brine shrimp, insects and larvae. Frozen food is an acceptable substitute.
Breeding: Conflicting reports state that breeding can be either very easy or very difficult. Epiplatys multifasciatus spawn onto fine-leaved plants in very clean water. The eggs will be quite large and are extremely susceptible to fungus.
Once the eggs have been spawned, it is best to remove them into a separate breeding tank or dish. The fry will hatch after two weeks and can be fed on baby brine shrimp.
Comments: Whilst Epiplatys multifasciatusis reportedly easy to keep in aquariums, it is rare and, as such, available information is difficult to come by. For these purposes, we have included general information pertaining to the killifish species.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species: Due to the lack of information on this species, it is unknown exactly how Epiplatys multifasciatus will interact with other fish. They should live happily with Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They also should be good tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, Corydoras Catfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platy and most Gourami (such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also should live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio) and also many other Killifish could make great tank mates.
Originally posted 2010-04-09 08:42:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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