Fundulopanchax walkeri
FUNDULOPANCHAX WALKERI (Boulenger 1911)
Originally published as: B.K.A. Information Pamphlet No.88 November 1972
Biotope: Humid forest regions of Southwest Ghana. Inhabiting temporary and semi-permanent biddies of water. Exact water conditions unknown but likely to be of a very acid nature. Colour variations have been noted between the various populations.
Description of the male: Dorsally of a dull red to olive. Eye, bold iris brassy yellow. Several vermiform markings present on the operculum. Mouth large and upturned. Flanks metallic blue upon which rust red to bright orange spots appear which run together to form large blocks of this colour towards the caudal fin. Dorsal fin well-formed and blue at the root followed by a broad band of bright orange and an outer thin black margin. Caudal, centre dark blue upon which appears some light blue highlights and some crimson spots which may run together to form large areas of colour, outer margin of orange with a final margin of a darker hue, black or deep purple depending on light, the fin being slightly filamented. Anal greenish blue at the root with a sub marginal band of orange followed by a thin band of black. Pectorals light blue, tipped red with a final tipping of black. Ventrals rust red with a dark edging. Colours more intense in young adult fish.
Description of the female: Olive to pinkish with some minute spotting of rust red. Fins transparent with some blue highlights.
Size attained: In the aquarium about 3.25 inches for the male and some 2.75 inches for the female.
Maintenance and breeding: Given well matured water and adequate feeding not unduly difficult to keep and breed. Conditions of water not critical and will seemingly tolerate a wide range of conditions. A pH of from 6.6 to neutral will do with a DH in the region of 4 to 7 German. Most foods accepted including some good quality flake foods fed in moderation.
For breeding a slight rise in temperature is appreciated 74F. being in order. Spawning will occur in most regions of the tank but most eggs are laid in the bottom sub-strate of the aquarium. Peat fibre or submerged nylon mops may be used as a spawning media. Eggs easily found and may be collected and water hatched. Hatching occurring in about 4 weeks for about 40% of eggs collected. By far the most satisfactory method is dry storage in which the eggs are placed in almost dry peat fibres or peat moss in sealed containers and incubated for 8 weeks. After this time the peat and eggs may be placed in water at a temperature of 72F. for completion of the hatching, fry emerging in a short space of time. Fry large and able to consume all the first foods. One should watch the amount of brine shrimp fed and make sure that all is eaten as this food quickly fouls water and may induce an outbreak of velvet. Growth of fry rapid and may be helped along by frequent partial water changes.
Summary: A species which has had many name changes over the years. Some strains/populations have not been over colourful and would seem to lose much of their coloration after being aquarium bred for a few generations. Some new strains introduced about 1970 have been better for bright colours than some of the original aquarium stock. A rather pugnacious species and very heavy on the females during spawning. Not a long-lived species.
Fred Wright, Tech. Editor BKA
88 -11 /72 (Supersedes No. 20)
References:
https://www.killi-data.org/mem221bersmysql/aa-header-services221.php?Rk_Hist=531%20rel=
http://www.killifishofwestafrica.co.uk/Ref_Library/Fundulopanchax/Fp.walkeri.htm
