Mamou Killifish (Scriptaphyosemion guignardi mamou)
Mamou Killifish are quite a rare species that is not very known in the hobby. These Killifish are an ideal fish for the nano or planted aquarium and will add some colour and activity to it. In addition, this Killifish is not demanding and can adapt to a wide variety of water conditions. However, due to their small size and care requirements, they are not suitable for the beginner aquarist.
Mamou Killifish are very shy and easily spooked; therefore, you should choose their tankmates carefully, or they will be out-competed for food. These fish will do much better if you house them in a species only tank or with similarly sized species.
Mamou Killifish are not suitable for the general community aquarium because they can be very aggressive with slow-moving small fish. They also have surprisingly large mouths for their size. These species are also known to be aggressive towards one another, so make sure you provide sufficient space and hiding places; that way, you can maintain a group together.
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| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Scriptaphyosemion guignardi mamou |
| Other Names | None |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Cyprinodontiformes |
| Family | Nothobranchiidae |
| Genus | Scriptaphyosemion |
| Origins | Guinea, Mali, Senegal |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Middle - Top |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Shoaling | No |
| Best kept as | Trios |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Layer |
| Lifespan | 1 - 2 years |
| Water Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| PH | 5.0 - 7.0 |
| GH | 5 - 12 |
| Temperature | |
|---|---|
| 71 - 77℉ 21.7 - 25℃ | |
Feeding
In the home aquarium, the Mamou Killifish will readily accept most good quality dried foods such as granules, flakes and sinking pellets. These modern food products have been developed to provide all adequate nutrition to maintain your fish's health and dietary requirements.
Providing additional foodstuffs such as live, frozen, and freeze-dried meals such as bloodworm, daphnia, and tubifex once or twice a week will provide additional benefits to your fish's health and well-being but is not a must for this fish.
It should be noted that bloodworms should only be given as an occasional treat and should not be used as the staple diet as they are difficult for fish to digest and can potentially cause blockages.
This fish is an omnivore in the wild, meaning it will consume some vegetable matter. Although most modern fish foods take this into account and include them in their products, you can still supplement your fish's diet with blanched vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and zucchini. Ensure you do not overfeed your fish and remove any leftovers the following day.
Sexual Dimorphism
It is simple to distinguish male from female Mamou Killifish. Males have a bronze upper body with bluish-green coloured sides that are accentuated with dots that form chevrons in the anterior part of the pelvic membranes.
Their fins are also greenish-blue with red dots except for the dorsal and caudal fin that has a red sub-marginal stripe and a light blue marginal stripe on the edge. The anal fin also has a red line on the edge.
In contrast, females are an olive-brown colour with a few red dots. They also have black specks that define a thin dark line on the middle of the body, and their fins are a solid yellow colour.