Killifish
Killifish, sometimes spelled killiefish, are tooth carps of the order Cyprinodontiformes. If you want to keep killifish, you normally have to purchase them directly from a breeder or at a fish auction since they are uncommon in fish stores. Today, you can also order killifish online. Despite being somewhat tricky to obtain, killifish can be recommended for beginner aquarists since many species are easy to maintain and even breed in captivity. The name killifish doesn’t have anything to do with killing; it is instead derived from a Dutch word meaning creek and it is a suitable name since these fishes are commonly found in creeks and streams. They can also be encountered in lakes and some species inhabit temporary pools that only exist during the rainy season. Killifish can be found in Asia, Africa, southern Europe, and the Americas, and the various species have adapted to a variety of geographical conditions. Before getting killifish, it is therefore important to research the species you’re interested in, because care guidelines provided for one type of killifish might not be suitable for another. Some killifish are for instance obligate plankton feeders while others should be fed insects or live fish.
