Blue Gularis Killifish 'Warri' (Fundulopanchax sjoestedti) Pair

Common Name

Blue Gularis – Warri locality

Scientific Name

Fundulopanchax sjoestedti (Warri locality)

Origin and Habitat

Native to coastal lowlands of southern Nigeria and western Cameroon. The Warri population comes from slow creeks, swamp channels, and seasonally flooded forest in the Warri area of the Niger Delta, Delta State, Nigeria. Water is very soft, mildly acidic, and tea-stained by tannins from leaf litter and peat soils. Fish inhabit shaded margins with palm roots, fallen branches, and dense leaf beds. Seasonal rains create new puddles; dry periods concentrate them in permanent, shaded pools with gentle flow and high oxygen near plant roots.

Temperature and Water Conditions

Preferred range: 72–76 °F (22–24 °C); tolerates 68–78 °F (20–26 °C) but prolonged warmth shortens lifespan and dulls color. Wild pH usually 5.5–6.8 with very low hardness. Stability is far more important than exact wild values (except for dedicated breeding). Use soft water when possible, gentle sponge filtration, light surface movement for oxygen, and botanicals/floating plants for shade. A tight-fitting lid with no gaps is mandatory—Blue Gularis are powerful jumpers.

Appearance and Size

One of the most spectacular killifish. Males display a turquoise-to-royal-blue body with red spotting/marbling, emerald shoulder patch, intense blue throat flash, and long extensions on dorsal, anal, and lyre-shaped caudal fins. Females are smaller, honey-gold to olive with fine speckling.

• Males: 12–15 cm (4.75–6 in)
• Females: 8–10 cm (3–4 in)

Warri fish are prized for strong blue faces, bold red patterns, and broad finnage when well-conditioned.

Diet in the Wild

Surface and midwater insectivore—targets mosquito larvae, flying insects hitting the surface, small crustaceans, micro-worms, and tiny snails among leaves and roots.

Feeding in Captivity

Staple (once trained): high-quality small pellets or soft granules. Regular live/frozen foods are essential for color and condition—newly hatched brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, mosquito larvae, grindal worms, chopped blackworms. Feed modest portions twice daily; vary the menu and avoid overuse of tubifex-type worms.

Behavior and Tank Setup

Intelligent, alert, and highly interactive, but males are territorial.

• Pair: 20-gallon long with thoughtful scaping
• Trio/colony: 29–40 gallons with deep cover
• Décor: driftwood, roots, leaf litter, tall plants, floating cover for broken sight lines
• Flow: gentle with strong oxygenation
• Tight lid required

Best as species-only or with very calm tankmates (larger pencilfish, ricefish, peaceful Corydoras) in roomy tanks.

Breeding

Overview & Setup

Non-annual mop/plant spawner. Eggs can be water-incubated for steady production or stored on damp peat for synchronized hatches.

Use a 10–15 gallon breeder with seasoned sponge filter, floating plants, and mixed mops (one floating, one bottom). Pairs spawn constantly; trios (1 male + 2 females) reduce female stress.

Conditioning

Hold 73–75 °F (23–24 °C), feed rich live/frozen foods twice daily for a week, dim lighting, and perform small, frequent soft-water changes.

Spawning

Male courts beside mop/moss with flared fins and slow arcs; female deposits single adhesive eggs. Collect daily.

Water Incubation

Store eggs in a deli cup/hatch box with clean tank water, optional drop of methylene blue or alder cones, and very gentle aeration. At 73–75 °F embryos eye-up in 10–14 days and hatch by day 12–18.

Peat Incubation

Place eggs on barely moist peat/coco fiber in a labeled container. Most eye-up in 2–3 weeks at room temperature; rewet with soft water to trigger hatching within 24–72 hours.

Fry Care

Warri fry are large—most accept newly hatched brine shrimp and microworms from day one. Feed 3–5 tiny portions daily. Keep water immaculate with small daily changes. Separate faster-growing males by week 4–6 to prevent fin-nipping.

Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Fundulopanchax sjoestedti
• Common name: Blue Gularis – Warri locality
• Origin: Niger Delta, Warri area, Nigeria
• Adult size: males 12–15 cm, females 8–10 cm
• Temperature: 72–76 °F (22–24 °C) preferred
• Wild pH: 5.5–6.8, very soft; stability key in captivity
• Temperament: territorial males; pair/trio with cover; strong lid required
• Diet: insectivore; quality pellets + regular live/frozen variety
• Breeding: non-annual mop/plant spawner; water or short peat incubation

Tropical Fish Co. Notes

This is the fish that started it all for us—Fundulopanchax is Chris’s absolute favorite group, and a simple question about Blue Gularis led Jodi and Chris to connect online, which grew into the partnership that became Tropical Fish Co. Warri fish are special: electric blue throats, ruby spatter, and a glide that looks like silk. Give them soft water, deep cover, and respect, and they repay you with presence and personality few species can match. Keep locality lines pure, label them clearly as Warri, and enjoy the living art in your care.