Clown Killifish
Epiplatys annulatus
Also known as Rocket Killifish, Banded Panchax
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A tiny, boldly banded surface fish with a tail like a rocket flame, best in a quiet, planted small tank. It is peaceful but small and a little specialized, so keep it with similarly tiny, calm fish in soft water. Floating plants help it feel safe.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 11 US gal
- Footprint
- 18 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 68–79 °F
- pH
- 4–7
- Hardness
- 1–8 dGH
- Swim zone
- Top
- Min group
- 8 or more
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
Clown Killifish tank mates and swim zone
Top
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Paracheirodon innesi
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Poecilia reticulata
Their pH ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Betta splendens
Betta often does best alone. Only try this in a larger, planted tank, and watch closely.
Trichogaster lalius
Clown Killifish is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Dwarf Gourami.
Trichopodus leerii
Clown Killifish is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Pearl Gourami.
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Clown Killifish feeding and care
How to feed
- Offer tiny floating foods at the surface.
- Feed live or frozen foods often, as many refuse to take dry food at first.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Males are more colorful, grow larger, and develop longer fins than females.
Clown Killifish care mistakes to avoid
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 8 fish so they feel secure.
- Use a tight lid. Killifish are skilled jumpers, even through small gaps.
- Keep flow very low, because strong currents push this small surface fish around.
- Avoid larger community fish, which will outcompete and intimidate it.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 11 US gallons.
Clown Killifish tank setup
The essentials for a small, gently filtered tank.
TankAt least 11 US gal (41 L), 45 x 30 cm
The smallest tank our sources give for Clown Killifish. We list only tanks that hold this volume (allowing 10%, so a standard size counts) and have at least this much floor.
Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium 20 Long US
Eheim clearTank 73 Spain
Why we chose these (Best 10-Gallon Fish Tank: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Starter kitA kit with the tank, filter and light in one box
We list only kits whose tank fits Clown Killifish, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Clown Killifish's temperature range.
Tetra Complete LED Aquarium Kit 20 Gallon US
Check the heater's setting
Tetra Starter Line LED Aquarium 54 L Spain
Heater preset to 25 °C
Tetra Starter Line LED Aquarium 80 L Spain
Heater preset to 25 °C
Why we chose these (Best Aquarium Starter Kit: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
FilterAir-driven sponge filter
Gentle flow that small fish and long fins can handle, plus a safe home for good bacteria.
Aquarium Co-Op Coarse Sponge Filter (Small) US
Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter US
Tetra Brillant Filter Spain
Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 10-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
HeaterKeep it at 68–79 °F (20–26 °C)
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 25 W at 5 gallons, 50 W at 10. Keeps a small tank stable. Adjustable models let you set the temperature your species needs. Size up for a cold room.
Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater US
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 50 W US
Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater Spain
Eheim Thermocontrol e 50 Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 10-Gallon Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water conditionerDechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es · Maker's details
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test kitLiquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link) · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply · Maker's details
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
SubstrateNo special substrate is required; sand with driftwood is suggested for a natural look.
We are still choosing products for this.
Hiding places and decorHeavy planting, driftwood roots, dried leaves and floating plants are suggested.
We are still choosing products for this.
PlantsSafe with live plants
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
Where to buy Clown Killifish
Stores that list it under the same scientific name as this page. Links marked as affiliate links may earn us a commission. We have not bought from them, so check each store's own terms.
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link)
We have not found a store that sells Clown Killifish under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Clown Killifish FAQ
What size tank do Clown Killifish need?
Our sourced minimum is 11 US gallons (41 liters), with a footprint of 45 x 30 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Clown Killifish should I keep?
Keep at least 8 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with Clown Killifish?
Good matches on our list include Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra and Ember Tetra. Avoid Endler's Livebearer and Platy.
How long do Clown Killifish live?
Lifespan is not well documented for this species. Stable water and a good diet help any animal live longer.
What do clown killifish eat?
Mostly tiny live or frozen foods such as baby brine shrimp and daphnia. Many learn to take small dry foods with patience.
Clown Killifish facts and sources
- Family
- Nothobranchiidae
- Native to
- Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia
- Adult size
- 1.4 in (3.5 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Schooling/Shoaling (6+)
- Diet
- Micro-Predator
- Water flow
- Low/Still
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Adult Shrimp Only
- Fin nipping
- None
- Vulnerable to nippers
- Yes
- Breeding
- Moderate
Sources
- Seriously Fish: Tank size, water ranges and behavior
- FishBase: Cross-check of water ranges and size
Lifespans are approximate and come from aquarium care guides, because these databases rarely publish them.
Where sources differ, we show the Seriously Fish aquarium figures.
Spotted something wrong? Report a parameter correction. For a sick fish, see our veterinary disclaimer.