Water conditions: Moderately soft and acidic, 20-23^oC

Spawning Method: Spawning Mops

Sex ratio: Roughly equal

Breeding difficulty: Easy

Success: Fairly successful

Other Comments: I've found this species to be easy to maintain, and easy to breed. I breed in teams of four or six fish of equal sexes in 18"x12"x12" tanks. I use a thin layer of peat substrate (only 1/4" or so) and rainwater (pH 5.8 and negligible hardness). Long floating mops are used (black nylon) with the bottom 2-3" trailing on the substrate. Eggs are predominantly laid in these lower strands, but can be found at all levels. I collect eggs and remove to hatching containers containing water from the breeding tank. A. celiae do not exhibit cannibalistic tendancies, and fry can be raised very successfully with the parent fish. However, I find that growth is quicker, and final adult size is greater if fry are raised in separate tanks. Eggs are water incubated taking 16 to 21 to hatch at 22 degrees C. The water is kept clean during this period being changed every two days ensuring that eggs are developing and infertile eggs are removed. Eggs are fairly small but newly hatched fry are relatively large and readily accept Artemia nauplii and microworms as first foods. Growth rate is medium for Aphyosemions, and sexual maturity is eached in less than 6 months. I would rate this as an excellent beginners fish, being hardy, relatively active, and easy to breed. The strain I am keeping has been unusual in that the quality of the fish has improved with each generation I've bred, both in terms of size and colouration. I plan to maintain this species/strain in the long term and will be happy to provide eggs/young fish to anyone who may be interested in keeping this delightful killi. I will also regularly distribute these fish at the various BKA auctions around the UK.

Breeder: Ian Allcroft BKA 157-06, Harrogate, North Yorkshire (4 years experience with this species)

Water conditions: Neutral, 20-23^oC

Spawning Method: Long term (fry appear with adults)

Sex ratio: Roughly equal

Breeding difficulty: Easy

Success: Average

Breeder: