A tiny, jewel-like West African surface-dwelling killifish with bold black-and-cream banding and a blue-tipped 'rocket' tail. Despite its toughness in soft, warm blackwater, its small size and surface-feeding habits make it best for dedicated nano keepers.
ℹ️
Educational only. KinStation content is reviewed by licensed veterinarians but cannot replace an in-person exam. Always consult a licensed veterinarian or board-certified specialist for diagnosis, treatment, or any decision affecting your pet's health.
🩺 Need expert help with your clown killifish?
Connect with a specialist near you or ask a licensed vet — never substitute online guidance for hands-on care in an emergency.
Coastal lowland streams and swamps of West Africa (Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia)
Origin
Old World
Climate
🌴 Tropical
Water type
💧 Freshwater
Family
Nothobranchiidae
Genus
Epiplatys
Part of the Killifish
Killifish are small, often spectacularly colored egg-laying toothcarps from fresh and brackish waters worldwide, prized by hobbyists for their jewel-like patterns, varied breeding strategies, and suitability for nano and species tanks.
From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
Photo coming soon
Minimum
Nano surface tank
10 gal / 38 L planted, lidded
Epiplatys annulatus is a 1-inch surface killifish. 10-gallon planted with floating plants, leaf litter, soft acidic water (pH 5.5–6.5), and a tight lid (jumpers). Group of 6+, more females than males.
Photo coming soon
Recommended
Planted nano shoal
15 gal / 57 L planted
15-gal planted with floating plants, blackwater, dim lighting, and a group of 8–10. Surface insects/small live food bring out the best colour and behaviour.
Photo coming soon
Ideal
West African biotope
20 gal+ / 76 L+ biotope
West African swamp biotope with very soft acidic water, leaf litter, floating plants, and a small breeding group. Tiny, beautiful, and very welfare-sensitive.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
Photo coming soon
Egg
Fish eggs are small, translucent spheres, often laid in clutches on plants, substrate, or in a nest — or carried/brooded by a parent in livebearing and mouth-brooding species. A dark eye spot and the curled embryo become visible inside as development progresses.
Photo coming soon
Fry
Newly hatched fry are tiny and semi-transparent, frequently still carrying a yolk sac that fuels them before they feed freely. They lack full fin structure and adult coloration, staying near cover until they can swim and forage on their own.
Photo coming soon
Juvenile
Juveniles look like miniature adults but with developing fins and muted or different markings; many species shift pattern and color as they mature. Growth is rapid at this stage given clean water and steady feeding.
Adult
Adults show the species' full size, finnage, and mature coloration, and are sexually mature. Many fish develop sex-specific differences in size, color, or fin shape, which can intensify during breeding.
Habitat & enclosure
House a small group in a well-planted nano tank of at least 20-40 L (5-10 gal), prioritizing surface area and length over height since this is a top-dwelling species. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as clown killifish are accomplished jumpers. Floating plants (frogbit, Salvinia) and tall stem plants reaching the surface provide security and dim, dappled light. Aim for warm, soft, acidic water: 22-26 C (72-79 F), pH 5.5-7.0, and low hardness. Gentle to no current suits their natural habitat of slow, tannin-stained coastal streams and swamps.
Substrate
A dark, fine substrate such as sand or smooth fine gravel best displays their colors and mimics tannin-stained streambeds. A layer of leaf litter (Indian almond/catappa, oak) and botanicals releases tannins, supports microfauna for grazing, and acidifies the water naturally.
Equipment & setup
Use a gentle sponge filter or low-flow filtration to avoid blasting these small surface fish around. A secure full lid prevents jumping and losses. A small heater maintains stable warmth. Lighting should be modest, filtered by floating plants. No special UVB or strong flow is needed; tannin-rich blackwater conditions are ideal.
Diet
An obligate micropredator with a tiny, upturned mouth adapted for surface feeding. Offer small live and frozen foods: microworms, Grindal worms, baby brine shrimp, Daphnia, fruit-fly larvae, and finely crushed flake. Many specimens ignore dry food entirely, so a steady supply of small live foods greatly improves color, condition, and breeding readiness. Feed small amounts once or twice daily.
Behavior & temperament
A peaceful, somewhat shy schooling species that hangs near the surface in loose groups. Males display and gently spar but cause no real harm. They are easily intimidated and outcompeted by larger or faster tankmates, so keep them in a species tank or with equally tiny, calm companions such as Boraras or small Corydoras. Not a handled animal; observe only.
Health
Generally hardy when kept in clean, soft, warm water. Sensitive to poor water quality, sudden parameter swings, and being underfed due to their small mouths. Watch for emaciation in tanks lacking suitable small foods. Velvet and bacterial infections can appear with chronic stress. Stable temperature and frequent small water changes keep them thriving.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Keep in groups of 8 or more for natural behavior and confidence. Provide spawning mops or fine-leaved plants near the surface; they are plant-spawners that scatter eggs, which can be hatched separately to raise fry on infusoria and microworms. A species-only nano tank usually yields the best color and breeding success. Always cover the tank.
