Florida Flagfish (Jordanella floridae)

Add a patriotic splash of color and a dedicated cleaning crew to your aquarium with the Florida Flagfish. This North American native is famous for the male's stunning red, blue, and green markings, which strikingly resemble the "Stars and Stripes" of the American flag. Beyond their looks, these fish are legendary among hobbyists for their rare ability to eat Black Beard Algae (BBA) and hair algae, making them as functional as they are beautiful.

Quick Stats & Origin

• Scientific Name: Jordanella floridae

• Origin: Native to the marshes, swamps, and sluggish streams of Florida, USA.

• Adult Size: 2–2.5 inches.

• Lifespan: 3–5 years (up to 8 in ideal conditions).

Care & Environment

Florida Flagfish are incredibly hardy and adaptable, capable of thriving in both tropical and subtropical setups. They are one of the few species that can be kept in unheated indoor tanks or outdoor summer ponds.

• Tank Size: A minimum of 20 gallons is recommended for a pair or small group.

• Substrate: Sand or fine gravel. They appreciate a dark substrate to help their colors pop.

• Decor: They thrive in densely planted tanks. Provide plenty of hiding spots with driftwood and floating plants to diffuse light, which mimics their natural "slough" habitats.

• Water Parameters: * Temperature: 64°F to 82°F (18°C–28°C)

  • pH: 6.5–8.0

  • Hardness: Moderately hard to hard water is preferred

Feeding & Diet

The Flagfish is a true omnivore with a heavy leaning toward vegetation.

• Natural Algae Control: They are elite grazers, specifically targeting nuisance hair algae and brush algae.

• Daily Diet: High-quality algae-based flakes or sinking pellets.

• Protein: Supplement with frozen or live foods like bloodworms, daphnia, or brine shrimp to maintain their vibrant health.

Tank Mates

Flagfish are generally peaceful but can be spirited, especially during spawning.

• Ideal Partners: Hardy species like Mollies, Platies, Swordtails, larger Tetras, and Corydoras.

• Social Needs: Best kept in a ratio of one male to two or three females to manage the male's territorial nature.

• Avoid: Very slow-moving fish or those with long, flowy fins (like Bettas or Fancy Guppies), as Flagfish may occasionally nip if they feel their territory is encroached upon.

Breeding

Unlike many other killifish, Florida Flagfish are not annuals and are relatively easy to breed in the home aquarium.

• The Nest: Males will often clear a small pit in the substrate or select a flat leaf.

• Parental Care: After the female lays her eggs, the male take on guard duty, aggressively protecting the nest and fanning the eggs to keep them oxygenated.

• Raising Fry: Eggs hatch in 4–10 days. The fry will initially graze on biofilm and algae, but should be supplemented with infusoria or baby brine shrimp.

Pro Tip: If you are struggling with a hair algae outbreak, the Florida Flagfish is often more effective and hardier than many ornamental shrimp or snails!

PLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING

• The photos shown on fish product pages are representations of adult fish and are NOT the actual fish that you will be receiving. 
• Please visit our “Ordering/Shipping fish” page prior to checking out to familiarize yourself with our process.
• We ship fish exclusively using overnight shipping with either FedEx or UPS. We will not ship fish with lesser expensive shipping services like “Ground” or “Priority Mail”. This is to ensure the safety of the fish. 
• Unless specified, all fish are sold as unsexed.