Lyretail Killifish
Aphyosemion australe
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 5–6 cm
- Minimum tank
- 30 litres
- Temperature
- 21–32 °C
Species profile
Golden Wonder Panchax
Aplocheilus lineatus
Common names: Golden Wonder Panchax, Striped Panchax, Malabar Killie
Recognized speciesKillifish
Adult size
Up to 10 cm
Up to 10 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A keeper who has researched this fish and can match its needs
Think carefully if
- You keep smaller fish, which it may eat
- You keep shrimp you want to protect
A large, golden killifish from India and Sri Lanka, also called the Striped Panchax. Keep a group of at least 1 in 68 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A large, golden killifish from India and Sri Lanka, also called the Striped Panchax. It is a surface hunter that will eat small fish, and it is an excellent jumper.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Males are far more colourful, with larger fins. Females are usually plain.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 140–200 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 75–100 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 68 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 75 cm
- Minimum group size
- 1
- Recommended group size
- 3
- Activity level
- Moderate
- Flow preference
- Low
- Planting preference
- Heavily planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- High
A small, dark, densely planted tank with a tight lid suits most killifish, as they are strong jumpers. Filtration should be gentle.
Behaviour and Tankmates
A jewel-like small fish, with males displaying to rivals and to females.
Often kept as one male with several females, because males can fight.
Males can be quarrelsome with each other.
Best in a species tank, or with small, peaceful fish. Avoid fin nippers. It is likely to eat shrimp.
Water Parameters
Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable. Keep the temperature steady.
Parameter caveat
Keep up regular water changes, and acclimatise new fish slowly.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Carnivore, Insectivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Small live foodsMany killifish prefer these and may ignore dried food.
- Frozen bloodworm and brine shrimpA good everyday alternative.
Prefers small live and frozen foods.
Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Egg Scatterer
- Breeding difficulty
- Easy
- Parental care
- None
- Baby foods
- InfusoriaNeeded for the first days, because most fry are very small.
- Newly hatched brine shrimpIntroduce as soon as the fry can take it.
An egg scatterer with no parental care. Adults eat eggs and fry, so use a separate tank with fine plants, moss or mesh on the bottom, and remove the adults after spawning. The fry need very small foods at first.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- India, South Asia, Sri Lanka
- Natural habitat
- Freshwater Stream, Lake, Rice Field, Swamp
- Aquarium contexts
- Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Aplocheilus
- Family
- Aplocheilidae
- Species group
- Fish, Killifish
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Red Chinned Panchax
Epiplatys dageti
- Care level
- Beginner
- Adult size
- 4.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 54 litres
- Temperature
- 20–30 °C
Splendid Killifish
Aphyosemion splendopleure
- Care level
- Beginner
- Adult size
- 6 cm
- Minimum tank
- 28 litres
- Temperature
- 22–26 °C
Yabassi Lampeye Killifish
Procatopus nototaenia Yabassi
- Care level
- Beginner
- Adult size
- 6 cm
- Minimum tank
- 54 litres
- Temperature
- 20–25 °C