Northern Studfish

[WattaMelon]

Browsing around online one day, I came across a link to these fish. I was astounded by the picture I saw. When I discover a new native that captures my interest, I always run over to NANFA for more information. For the first time, NANFA disappointed me. Oh well. I kept looking and found more information. Here's the general bio:

Northern Studfish are a very colorful topminnow found in the Ozarks and Tennessee river drainages. They prefer warm clean running water, breed in the spring, and lay 30-300 eggs on clean gravel. Also known as the largest killifish native to the US, they run from 60-95mm in legnth. They are extremely similar to the southern studfish, and while they're both attractive, the northern is more colorful.

Has anyone here had any experience keeping these fish, or know more?

Thanks!

 

[MultispeciesTamer]

cool looking fish

 

[Noto]

The studfish is a very common species where I live. Every mid-sized creek has plenty of them. They're easy to recognize from above by the pale patch on the nape and the characteristic tail crook (they rest with the tail angled to one side).

You can keep exactly one pair of studfish in a tank. More than that and they will slaughter one another until you're down to just one male and one female. I've never seen other killies act this way. Otherwise, they are usually peaceful with non-conspecific tankmates. They adapt to flake food readily. They are jumpers, so a good canopy is crucial.

The male's bright breeding colors last for a few weeks in late spring. The rest of the year they are handsome, but not stunning.

 

[WattaMelon]

Thank you Noto, very interesting and great information.

 

[sandtiger]

You should check out the NANFA forum, they seem to come up pretty frequently and I know some of the members have/had them.

 

[Itsadeepbluesea]

nice looking fish