A hardy, golden-metallic surface predator from South India, the 'golden wonder' is a man-made color form of the striped panchax that is far more forgiving than most killifish. Its size and predatory streak mean small fish become snacks, but it is otherwise an easy, long-lived top-dweller.
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Southern India and Sri Lanka, in streams, rice paddies, and coastal lowlands
Origin
Old World
Climate
🌴 Tropical
Water type
💧 Freshwater
Family
Aplocheilidae
Genus
Aplocheilus
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
Single pair tank
20 gal / 76 L long planted
Aplocheilus lineatus reaches 4 in and is a surface predator. 20-gal long minimum for a pair or trio (1M/2F), with tight lid (jumpers), floating plants, soft to moderate water, and surface insect feeding.
Photo coming soon
Recommended
Planted display pair
29 gal / 110 L long planted
29-gal long planted with a small group, floating plants, varied surface prey, and peaceful mid/bottom tankmates large enough to be safe (small fish are food).
Photo coming soon
Ideal
Asian biotope display
40 gal+ / 151 L+ biotope
Asian rice-paddy biotope with floating plants, leaf litter, gentle flow, varied prey, and a small group. Stunning gold colour and surface-hunting display.
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.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Natural
representative
Wild-type striped panchax
The natural form, greenish with rows of dark spots or bars and a less intense metallic gold sheen.
Selectively bred (man-made)
representative
Golden wonder
A xanthic (golden-metallic) captive-bred color strain that is the most commonly sold form, lacking the darker green-and-striped pigmentation of wild fish.
Habitat & enclosure
Provide at least 80-100 L (20-25 gal) with a generous footprint, since this is an active surface predator that uses the upper water column. A secure lid is mandatory as they jump readily. Floating plants and tall plantings break up the surface and offer cover. They tolerate a wide range of conditions: 22-26 C (72-79 F), pH 6.0-7.5, soft to moderately hard water. They also handle slightly brackish conditions, reflecting their adaptability across coastal Indian habitats.
Substrate
Any fine to medium substrate works; darker sand or gravel intensifies their golden sheen. A layer of leaf litter and driftwood adds tannins and hiding spots, though it is not strictly required given their adaptability.
Equipment & setup
A reliable heater and a gentle-to-moderate filter (sponge or hang-on-back) suit them well. The single most important piece of equipment is a tight, gap-free lid to prevent escapes. Standard lighting is fine; floating cover helps them feel secure. No UVB needed.
Diet
A confirmed carnivore that hunts insects and small fish at the surface in the wild. In captivity they readily take floating pellets, flake, and a varied menu of frozen and live foods: bloodworms, blackworms, brine shrimp, crickets, and small feeder insects. They eagerly snatch anything that fits in their large, upturned mouth, including small tankmates. Feed once or twice daily.
Behavior & temperament
Bold, alert, and predatory toward anything bite-sized, but otherwise peaceful with similarly sized, robust tankmates. Males can be territorial with each other; keep them in groups with enough space or in pairs. They cruise the upper levels and will pick off small shrimp and nano fish, so choose tankmates carefully. A display fish, not a handled one.
Health
One of the toughest killifish, rarely sick when kept in clean, stable water. Their main risks are injury from jumping out of uncovered tanks and obesity from overfeeding rich foods. Standard quarantine and good filtration prevent most issues. Watch for fin damage in cramped quarters with rival males.
Tips, DIY & hacks
The 'golden wonder' is a captive-bred xanthic strain; wild-type striped panchax are greener with darker markings. They are excellent beginner killifish and good jumpers, so never leave the top open. Breeding is easy: they are plant-spawners that deposit eggs in mops or fine plants over several days, and fry are large enough to take baby brine shrimp.
