Steel Blue Killifish (Fundulopanchax gardneri)
- In stock, ready to ship
- Inventory on the way
- Live Arrival Guarantee
- All our live fish, shrimp, snails are care with love and passion, when through minimum of 14 days quarantined and shipped from Splashy Fish facility in Springfield, Virginia, USA
This is only apply to live fish order.
What is Our Live Arrival Guarantee?
Benefit from our extensive experience in shipping live fish. In 2021, our records indicated a mere 0.5% dead-on-arrival (DOA) rate for all live fish orders, compared to the industry standard of 1.5%. These numbers translate to only 5 out of 1000 orders experiencing DOA fish.
At Splashy Fish, customer satisfaction is our priority. That's why we provide a 100% Live Arrival Guarantee on all animals shipped via USPS, UPS, or FedEx. Please note - Splashy Fish reserves the right to void Live Arrival Guarantee protection under the following circumstances:
- The customer has chosen USPS First Class Mail as a shipping method.
- The shipping address is a PO Box address
- The order was refused delivery by the customer.
- If the order is returned to the sender for any reason. For instance, an incorrect shipping address, an undeliverable address, etc.
- The order was held for pick up at USPS, UPS, and FedEx offices for longer than 24 hours after the last update on the tracking number.
- The Live Arrival Guarantee claim does not include all the requirements mentioned below
- The Live Arrival Guarantee claim is made after the claim period mentioned below.
- The animals are not in their original packaging
Live Arrival Guarantee Claim Period:
For Live Fish and other invertebrates, one and a half hours (1.5 hours) after the posted delivery time.
For Snails: 48 hours after the posted delivery time.
Steps to claim Splashy Fish's Live Arrival Guarantee:
- Take a picture of the shipping box and the shipping label.
- For live fish and other invertebrates: Please provide two pictures of each bag (containing the dead fish) upon arrival. Ensure the images display the bag in its original, unopened condition with the original rubber band intact
- For Snails: Position the snail in one corner of the tank. If the snail does not move within 48 hours, please take several pictures of the snail's opening
- Send an email to DOA@splashyfishstore.com with the subject line: DOA and Your Order Number, or message us on social media.
- In the body of the email, include your tracking number.
- The claim must be sent within the claim period mentioned above.
After submitting the required information, please allow us 1-3 business days to determine the cause of the issue. If the claim is valid and approved by our team, you will
- Receive a store credit for future purchases, excluding the shipping cost, of the dead-on-arrival fish
If the Live Arrival Guarantee claim does not meet all listed requirements, Splashy Fish reserves the right to reject it.
Shipping live animals and plants is a complex process, and temperature plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and secure delivery of your order.
If the highest daytime temperature in your location and the lowest nighttime temperature here in Springfield, Virginia—where our facility is situated—fall below 40°F or exceed 90°F, we will proactively delay your order. This measure is taken to prioritize the well-being of the animals and plants.
For the safety of our living cargo and to protect your investment, we retain the right to suspend shipping as necessary due to extreme weather conditions. Our Splashy Fish team will assess the situation and determine if it is unsuitable to ship, considering the safety of the animals.
To stay informed or address any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to our dedicated Splashy Fish Support team via email at support@splashyfishstore.com.
Once our team prints and packs your order, we'll notify you via email. This notification will include your tracking number and the expected arrival day. If you opt for UPS 2 Day shipping, your package should arrive within 2 days after shipment. Similarly, if you choose UPS 1 Day, your order will reach you the day after it is shipped. In the case of orders containing only plants or dry goods, they may be shipped via USPS, provided that this is the selected shipping option during checkout.
We ship all of the customer orders from our warehouse located in Springfield, VA. We pack and ship our orders depending on the orders with the exception of someday we cannot ship out live fish.
All Orders: will be shipped out from Monday to Thursday each week for overnight shipping by UPS.
Sunday: (Splashy Day) Today is the day we let our hard-working team members and our fish to destress and ready for the following week's shipment.
For more information regarding about shipping please visit us our Shipping Policy and Schedule
Add a splash of iridescent blue and vibrant energy to your tank with the Blue Steel Killifish (Fundulopanchax gardneri), one of the most popular and resilient killifish species for freshwater aquariums. Also known as the Gardneri Killifish, Steel Blue Killifish, Blue Lyretail, Blue Lyretail Killifish, or Gardner’s Killifish, this species is celebrated for its brilliant coloration, flowing lyretail, and hardy nature, making it a top choice for both novice and experienced aquarists.
Fundulopanchax gardneri is native to the slow-moving streams and pools of Nigeria and Cameroon, where it inhabits densely vegetated, shaded waters. The steel blue killifish boasts an iridescent blue body adorned with red or orange spots and, in males, a dramatic lyre-shaped tail and dorsal fins. Females are more subtly colored, with a graceful, streamlined look. These small, active fish thrive in well-planted community tanks and biotope setups.
Adult blue killifish typically reach 2.5–3 inches (6–7.5 cm) in length. Males exhibit the most vibrant colors and signature blue lyretails, making them stand out in any aquarium. Their dazzling, metallic sheen and elegant fin extensions earn them the common names “blue lyretail” and “blue lyretail killifish.”
Blue steel killifish are peaceful and lively, making them excellent candidates for community tanks with other small, gentle fish. They do best in groups with at least one male and several females to display their natural courtship and social behaviors. Suitable tank mates include Tetras, Rasboras, small Gouramis, Corydoras, and peaceful Livebearers. Provide plenty of aquarium plants, floating vegetation, and hiding spots to mimic their natural habitat and reduce stress.
At our Splashy Fish tropical fish store, our Steel Blue Killifish for sale and other freshwater fish for sale are carefully selected and packed with love! Visit us to buy them online or at our aquarium store in Virginia for more betta fish for sale, freshwater shrimp for sale, live aquatic plants for sale, and aquarium supplies.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THIS FISH:
- Brilliant metallic blue body with striking red/orange spots
- Males feature long, elegant lyretail fins, true “blue lyretail killifish”
- Hardy, adaptable, and ideal for planted or biotope tanks
- Peaceful and compatible with other small, gentle fish
- Fascinating spawning and courtship displays
RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:
- Tank Size: Minimum 15 gallons for a group (more space preferred for pairs/trios)
- Temperature: 72°–77°F (22°–25°C)
- pH: 6.0–7.5
- Hardness: 4–12 dGH
- Filtration: Gentle to moderate flow; keep water clean and well-oxygenated
CARE GUIDELINES:
- Diet: Omnivorous. Provide a varied diet of high-quality flakes, micro pellets, frozen or live foods (such as brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae) to enhance color and vitality.
- Aquascaping: Use dense planting, floating plants, and soft, dark substrate to replicate their native environment. Add spawning mops or fine-leafed plants for breeding.
- Maintenance: Regular water changes and stable water parameters are crucial for health and breeding success.
- Breeding: Gardner’s killifish are egg-layers and relatively easy to breed in captivity. Eggs are laid among plants or mops and hatch in 2–3 weeks, depending on temperature.
