Can Frontosa and Gardner's Killifish Live Together?

Frontosa is a moderately assertive species (5/10), while Gardner's Killifish is generally mild-mannered (4/10). This modest difference means Frontosa may occasionally assert dominance over Gardner's Killifish.

Frontosa and Gardner's Killifish both frequent the Middle (Open Water) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Hyperactive swimmers can stress shy, slow-moving species through constant motion.

Worth noting: Gardner's Killifish is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 23°C and 26°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 24.5°C) for optimal comfort.

The pH requirements of Frontosa (8–9) and Gardner's Killifish (6–7.5) do not overlap, making it impossible to satisfy both species simultaneously.

Hardness requirements are incompatible: Frontosa needs 12–25 dGH while Gardner's Killifish requires 4–10 dGH. An aquarium test kit is recommended for monitoring.

To house Frontosa and Gardner's Killifish together, plan for an aquarium of at least 570 litres with a minimum length of 180 cm. This accounts for the larger species' space requirements with an additional 20 % buffer to reduce territorial tension.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Sand (Sifters), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Plants - Densely covered, Plants - Floating, Plants - lighly covered. Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Both species do well with moderate (standard) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.