Fundulopanchax sjoestedti
Fundulopanchax sjoestedti
The Fundulopanchax sjoestedti (Fundulopanchax sjoestedti) is an aggressive fish that's a good step up once you have a little experience. Give it a tank of at least 100 litres (26 US gallons), water held at 72-82°F, and a pH of 6-7.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Africa
- Africa
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Fundulopanchax sjoestedti Tank Setup
A tank of at least 100 litres (26 US gallons) at 72-82°F and pH 6-7.5 suits them well. Livebearers breed quickly, so plan for the fry and keep an eye on your male-to-female ratio. They reach about 12 cm as adults, so don't be misled by the small juveniles sold in stores.
What Do Fundulopanchax sjoestedtis Eat?
They're meat-eaters, so feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake. Go easy on portions - leftover protein fouls the water faster than plant foods do.
Fundulopanchax sjoestedti Tank Mates
Blue Gularis; large predatory killifish. Will eat small tankmates. Males fight; keep alone or one male with females. The Fundulopanchax sjoestedti is aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's predatory, so anything small enough to fit in its mouth will be treated as food rather than a companion. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Fundulopanchax sjoestedtis Good for Beginners?
Not a sensible first purchase. Get the tank cycled, keep easier fish stable for a year, then revisit if you still want the extra work this species demands.
Fundulopanchax sjoestedti - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Fundulopanchax sjoestedtis need?
Fundulopanchax sjoestedtis need a tank of at least 100 litres (26 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Fundulopanchax sjoestedtis need?
Keep them at 72-82°F with a pH of 6-7.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Fundulopanchax sjoestedtis eat?
Fundulopanchax sjoestedtis are meat-eaters. Feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake, and don't overfeed. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Fundulopanchax sjoestedtis good for beginners?
Fundulopanchax sjoestedtis are best for keepers with a little experience. They are manageable once you test water regularly and catch problems early; a complete beginner may prefer something more forgiving first.
Common mistakes with Fundulopanchax sjoestedtis
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 100 litres (26 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Fundulopanchax sjoestedtis
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- OscarPredator - Oscar will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Serpae TetraFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
- Zebra DanioFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
