Clown Killifish
Epiplatys annulatus
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Cyprinodontiformes›Nothobranchiidae
📍 Guinea, Sierra Leone & Liberia, West Africa
A tiny jewel of a fish with bold black-and-cream banding and a rocket-shaped tail edged in blue and red. Peaceful surface dweller ideal for nano tanks. Does best in heavily planted setups with floating plants and gentle filtration.
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by @mateocoello
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Tanks keeping this 🐟
Kept by 3 hobbyistsCommunity tanks featuring Clown Killifish.
Care Guide
Diet
Clown killifish are strict carnivores requiring live or frozen small foods. Offer live mosquito larvae, daphnia, brine shrimp, and small insects daily or every other day. They may refuse dry foods entirely, so prioritize live foods and high-quality frozen options to maintain their vibrant coloration and health.
Behavior
These are peaceful, surface-dwelling fish that spend most of their time near the water's surface hunting for small prey. They are active and curious but remain calm around other non-aggressive species. They thrive in groups of 4 or more, displaying natural schooling behavior and reduced stress in numbers.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is possible but requires patience and specific conditions. Provide dense vegetation, slightly acidic water (pH 6.0-6.5), and temperatures around 24-25°C. Eggs are typically laid on plants or substrate; remove parents after spawning as they may eat fry. Fry are tiny and require infusoria or liquid fry food initially.
Tank Mates
Similar size, peaceful temperament, and identical water parameter requirements make them ideal companions
Small shrimp are compatible; ensure adequate hiding spaces and monitor for predation of shrimplets
Peaceful snails that share the same water conditions and pose no threat to killifish
Tiny, peaceful tetras with similar water requirements; avoid larger tetra species that may outcompete for food
Dwarf catfish that occupy the bottom zone and won't compete for surface food; maintain soft substrate
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against surfaces
Raise temperature gradually to 28-29°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per 5 gallons) or ich medication; treat for 10-14 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin bases, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent partial changes, reduce stocking density, treat with antibacterial medication if severe; ensure pristine conditions as prevention
Parasitic Infections
Excessive scratching, visible parasites, weight loss, clamped fins
Quarantine affected fish, treat with anti-parasitic medication, perform daily water changes; maintain excellent water quality to prevent secondary infections
Starvation/Malnutrition
Thin body, faded coloration, reduced activity, inability to compete for food
Ensure abundant live food availability, feed multiple times daily in small amounts, supplement with frozen foods; avoid mixing with aggressive feeders
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Micro carnivore – baby brine shrimp, micro worms, crushed flake
- lifespan
- 3–5 years
- max size
- 3.5 cm (1.4 in)
- tank size
- 5 gallons minimum
- temperament
- Peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0–7.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 2–8 dGH
- temperature
- 72–79°F (22–26°C)