Moderate

Clown Killifish

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Epiplatys annulatus

Complete Clown Killifish care guide covering carnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 10 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

Clown Killifish

Quick Answer

Clown Killifish (Epiplatys annulatus) is a small, beautiful killifish from West Africa. It requires a minimum 10 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.0 - 7.0 and temperature range of 22-26°C. This carnivore occupies the top zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Clown Killifish (Epiplatys annulatus) is a small, beautiful killifish from West Africa. Males have striking blue and orange bands on their fins.

Setup

A 10-gallon or larger nano tank with floating plants, dark substrate, and gentle filtration. A tight lid is essential as they jump. Soft, acidic water preferred.

Feeding

Carnivorous; accepts only small live/frozen foods: baby brine shrimp, microworms, daphnia, and fruit flies. Can be trained to accept crushed flakes if finely ground.

Compatibility

Peaceful; keep in groups of 6+ with more females than males. Tankmates: small rasboras, Pygmy Corydoras, shrimp. Avoid fast or fin-nipping fish.

Tank Position
Top
Water Temp
22-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.0 - 7.0

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Carnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Leaf Fish Care Guide: Diet & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Angelfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet | The Aquarium Calculators semanticSimilarity Badis Care Guide: Tank Size & Compatibility semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Clown Killifish should be kept together?
Maintain a minimum school of 8 to 12 individuals in a tightly covered nano tank of at least 10 gallons (38 liters) with a footprint of 20x10 inches (50x25 cm). Clown killifish (Epiplatys annulatus) are surface-dwelling shoalers; groups under 6 cause male aggression and chronic hiding. Maintain a ratio of 2-3 females per male to minimize displaying fights at the surface. Provide dense floating plants (frogbit, Salvinia) and a secure lid with no gaps over 0.2 inches (5 mm) as they are expert jumpers. Tank height should not exceed 12 inches (30 cm).
What are the exact water parameters for Clown Killifish?
Target pH 6.0 - 7.0, General Hardness 3 - 8 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 2 - 5 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 80 - 180 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 160 - 360 μS/cm, and temperature 72°F - 78°F (22°C - 26°C). They prefer soft, slightly acidic conditions with gentle filtration (sponge filter). Maintain nitrates below 10 ppm with weekly 20% water changes. Add Indian almond leaves (1 per 5 gallons) and peat filtration. Avoid strong currents; use a baffled HOB filter. Sudden pH drops >0.3 cause shock. Hardness above 12 dGH reduces breeding.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Clown Killifish?
They are surface micro-predators requiring 50% protein, 15% fat, 35% plant matter. Feed crushed flakes, fruit flies (Drosophila), live baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and frozen cyclops 2-3 times daily. They ignore sinking foods; always offer floating options. Medication alert: Sensitive to copper (0.1 mg/L max) and formalin; use malachite green at half-dose. Praziquantel is safe for internal parasites. Avoid salt (tolerance <3 ppt). Quarantine with methylene blue at half-strength. They are susceptible to velvet; treat with acriflavine.
How to breed Clown Killifish in a home aquarium?
Condition a group of 8 (1 male:3 female) with live baby brine shrimp and microworms for 2 weeks. Set up a 5-gallon (19 liter) breeding tank with 4 inches (10 cm) of water (pH 6.5, dGH 4, 74°F/23°C), a spawning mop or floating yarn, and java moss. Spawning occurs daily at dawn; females deposit 5-20 eggs on mop fibers. Remove parents every 2-3 days. Eggs hatch in 10-14 days at 74°F (23°C). Fry are 0.15 inches (4 mm); feed infusoria for 3 days, then microworms and baby brine shrimp. Keep tank covered as fry jump.

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