🧰Accessories for a Killifish: tests, upkeep and budget

Killifish : A sponge filter, a snug lid, peat or catappa leaves for acidifying and a spawning mop. A small budget of around 60 to 120 euros for a complete species tank.

In short: 4 to 6 cm as an adult depending on the species, 20 to 50 L depending on the species, water between 20 and 24 °C. A lively, colorful little surface fish, often kept species-only with one male and two or three females. A formidable jumper requiring a gap-free lid; its lifespan varies greatly by species, often only 1 to 3 years.

Water tests: your dashboard

Before any decor, equip the Killifish tank with a drop-test kit (€15-30): nitrites and nitrates weekly, hardness and pH whenever doubt creeps in. Then come the net sized for 5 cm, the substrate siphon and the dedicated bucket — never the cleaning one, whose detergent traces contaminate the water.

The Killifish specifics

a tight-fitting lid with no gaps: the species jumps, and every slot is a one-way exit.

The full budget, no surprises

An equipped 20 L setup (tank, filter, heater, lighting, substrate, decor, tests): expect €100 to 250 upfront, then €10 to 25 a month (food, electricity, conditioner). Second-hand often halves the tank price — only the filter and heater deserve to be new. Details on the full Killifish profile.

Frequently asked questions

Which accessories are essential for a Killifish tank?

Drop tests, siphon, net, dedicated bucket, a tight lid (it jumps), an independent thermometer: the whole kit stays under €60.

What budget for keeping a Killifish?

€100 to 250 to set up an equipped 20 L tank, then €10 to 25 a month in routine costs.

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