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Care guide · Freshwater · fish

Clown killifish

Epiplatys annulatus

Male clown killifish (Epiplatys annulatus)
Male Epiplatys annulatus. Photo: Andrew Bogott; image adjustment by Tommy Kronkvist, CC BY-SA 3.0. Photo: Andrew Bogott (Wikimedia Commons); version actuelle ajustée par Tommy Kronkvist · Source · CC BY-SA 3.0Proportional resize and JPEG compression only by this site; Commons history records a previous tonal adjustment. CC BY-SA 3.0.

The clown killifish (Epiplatys annulatus), also called banded panchax, is a tiny West African killifish that hunts just beneath the surface. Its dark bands and the male’s ornate tail are distinctive, but its small size brings specific care needs. It can be outcompeted by busy surface feeders, needs appropriately tiny food and should not be placed in an immature or unstable aquarium. A well-fitted lid matters because these fish can jump through gaps. This guide follows the GBIF-accepted name Epiplatys annulatus; older aquarium literature also uses Pseudepiplatys annulatus. It is non-annual: eggs develop in water and do not require a mandatory dry diapause.

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At a glance

Temperature
23–25 °C
pH
6.5–7.0
GH
5–8 °dGH
Aquarium length
At least 45 cm
Minimum aquarium volume
At least 41 L
Adult size
Up to 4 cm
Group size
At least 8–10 individuals
Swimming zone
Surface
Temperament
Peaceful

About this species

GBIF and FishBase use Epiplatys annulatus (Boulenger, 1915) in Nothobranchiidae. Pseudepiplatys annulatus also appears in aquarium literature; older names such as Haplochilus annulatus are historical combinations, not separate species. FishBase lists a maximum total length of 4 cm, while Seriously Fish gives about 35 mm standard length. The measurements use different endpoints. Males are usually more colourful, with longer fins and strongly contrasting bands; females are plainer with shorter fins. The species is described as non-annual, with eggs developing normally in water. When buying, provenance, active feeding and intact fins are more useful checks than a trade name alone.

Natural habitat

The species occurs in coastal lowlands of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. FishBase describes coastal swamps and shallow freshwater areas. Available summaries do not give a precise species-wide description of every habitat, so an exact blackwater biotope should not be assumed. Seriously Fish aquarium advice fits its surface ecology: subdued light, cover at the surface, plant roots and gentle to moderate flow. Leave room for surface feeding and target food there. Leaf litter can add cover and microfauna, especially for fry, but it does not replace filtration or maintenance. Do not use wild-collected peat; it is unnecessary and harmful to vulnerable peatlands.

Aquarium and layout

Seriously Fish recommends a minimum base of 45 × 30 cm and reports about 41 litres. Keep these as separate source references: actual volume depends on water depth. A smaller tank may be used temporarily for breeding, but is not automatically suitable as permanent group housing. A group of 8–10 helps reduce shyness; if the group allows, keep more females than males. Use a mature, well-filtered aquarium with gentle flow, floating plants, fine cover and open feeding spots. Close every gap with a fitted lid and safe cable routing. Avoid immature tanks and strong filter currents; the species is sensitive to deteriorating water. Do not add boisterous fish that dominate the surface.

Water conditions

Sources differ in scope. FishBase reports 23–25°C, pH 6.5–7 and a hardness note with a lower value of 5 °dH but no clear upper limit. Killi Club de France gives similar figures as general Epiplatys guidance, not a measurement for this species alone. Seriously Fish provides a wider E. annulatus care range of 20–26°C, pH 4–7 and GH 1–8 °dH. For a practical stable aquarium, the conservative overlap around 23–25°C, pH 6.5–7 and roughly GH 5–8 is useful; do not treat it as a universal natural value. Acclimate gradually and prioritise consistent water quality. Add the fish only to a biologically mature aquarium.

Behaviour and group size

The clown killifish swims and feeds close to the surface. Seriously Fish describes it as peaceful and relatively gregarious, but not an ideal general community fish because of its tiny size and specialised needs. A species-only aquarium is the safest option. Any tankmates should be quiet, small enough and suited to soft, stable water, without occupying the surface or taking its food. Larger fish may view it as prey; very small shrimp and eggs are also vulnerable. In a breeding tank, shrimp and larger snails may eat eggs, as Tropical Fish Hobbyist warns. Watch for persistent hiding, weight loss, missed meals and damaged fins. Peaceful temperament does not automatically mean compatible.

Feeding

This is a micropredator of small aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates and zooplankton. Seriously Fish recommends daily suitably tiny live or frozen foods such as Artemia nauplii, small Daphnia, Moina or grindal worms. Dried foods may be accepted, but particles must truly be small. The linked flake food is suitable only if crumbled finely and the fish are seen swallowing it. Do not leave uneaten food to drift or decay. Offer several small surface portions so shy individuals can feed. Newly hatched fry are much smaller than adults and first need microscopic foods; adult flakes, even crushed, are not automatically suitable for them.

Breeding

Epiplatys annulatus is non-annual and lays adhesive eggs over time among fine plants, floating roots or a spawning mop. Seriously Fish lists Taxiphyllum, floating plant roots and mops as suitable sites. Eggs develop in water; a mandatory dry-peat diapause is not needed. Breeders use differing approaches: moving the spawning medium periodically or leaving eggs to hatch in a mature planted tank. Seriously Fish gives about 9–12 days at 24–25°C as an incubation reference, not a guarantee. Adults may eat eggs, and larger fry may eat smaller fry. Deliberate rearing requires microscopic first foods, safe filtration and a separate grow-out area. Shrimp and larger snails can consume eggs.

Sources & review

This care guide draws on several specialist sources and was last checked on .

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