I finally got one of the species that I have been drooling over for almost 2 years - the Blue Gularis Niger Delta! (Fundulopanchex sjoestedti "Niger Delta"). These guys are incredibly large and beautiful killifish. I am grateful to Jim Kostich for sending me such a beautiful little baby boy. And what a ride he had! He was lost in the mail for NINE DAYS, and yet he still arrived safe and sound! A true testament to Jim's secure packaging!
 Only 2 inches long :) | He was a little hesitant the first day, but by the second day he was exploring all about the tank and even following me around. As soon as the pipette full of grindals came in contact with the water, he attacked!! I'm very happy with him to say the least. Niger Deltas are one of the larger strains, and I am hoping that he acheives at least 6 inches (+). I currently have him in a half-filled 20 gallon tall with lots of plants and driftwood. He also has 3 longfin salt and pepper corydoras friends, that I hope he doesn't beat up too badly. I housed my male Blue Gularis Loe in there previously, and he took the eye of one unfortunate cory. These are *very* aggressive fish! |
 A beautiful full adult specimen |  Adult males also flare like bettas when challenged by another male. I hope I can get this same territorial response with a mirror. |
He has grown a LOT since I originally wrote this post (sometimes I write them for future blogging to ensure I always have something to share with you guys...but then I forget to post them regularly lol). He flared at his reflection for the first time today! He constantly patrols his now full 20 gallon and eagerly half-jumps out of the water for cubes of freeze-dried tubifex, live white worms, the occasional betta runt, and even a high quality pellet I picked up in Germany (Bassleer's Biofish - I've never had a fish refuse it, and it's great for filling in nutritional gaps). I think he's about 4 inches long now and I hope he keeps right on growing!
RAWR
He keeps trying to spawn with the corys. At least they don't seem to mind that much.
I have found, however, that he has the annoying habit of being distrustful of strangers. Every fish friend I have tried to show him to was met with an apparently empty tank. This is disconcerting because he LOVES me! I am always amazed by how perceptive and intelligent predatory fish can be. I am hoping that if I invite enough fish people over and they feed him, he will learn that strangers can be trusted. What a little turd!
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