aging and diseases (such as Dyskeratosis congenita). Sequencing the whole killifish genome indicated modification to the IGF-1 receptor gene. As pets Many killifish are lavishly coloured; and most species are easy to keep and breed in an aquarium. Specimens can be obtained from specialist societies and associations. Striped panchax (aka. Golden Wonder Killifish) are commonly found in pet shops, but caution must be exercised when considering tank mates, since the mouth of the Striped panchax is as wide as the head, and much smaller fish will be eaten. Flagfish, native to south Florida, is another species of killifish commonly found in pet stores. They are useful in aquariums for algae control. The Golden topminnow (Fundulus chrysotus) is also native to the United States and often available at auction, but care must be taken with these fish – and the Golden Wonder – to stop them from jumping out of the tank. A firm cover and a layer of floating plants is best when keeping these fish. Behaviour-altering infection Normally, killifish avoid near-surface water to reduce the danger of being eaten by predators. However, when infected with a type of fluke the fish swim near the surface, and sometimes even swim upside down, exposing their camouflaged bellies. The fluke completes its lifecycle in the digestive tract of birds. Evolved resistance to extreme levels of toxicity The large populations of killifish and the genetic diversity of the species have enabled it to evolve and survive in areas where other species have died out, including Superfund sites. Over a few dozen generations of killifish in a relatively short period of time (50–60 years), killifish have evolved resistance against levels of dioxins, PCBs, mercury, and other industrial chemicals up to 8,000 times higher than the previously estimated lethal dose. Sequencing the genomes of the adapted individuals showed a common set of mutations among the pollution-tolerant fish, many of which help to deactivate or turn off a molecular pathway responsible for a large part of the cellular damage caused by the chemicals. Killifish were found to fare relatively well in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. References External links the killi net – Database of killifish names, codes and pictures online since 1996 Huber, J. (2021). Killi-Data online American Killifish Association, the first killi organisation of any sort (AKA) British Killifish Association, formed in 1965 (BKA) Itrainsfishes – All about South American Killifishes