Care Level: Moderate

Temperament: Peaceful

Live Plant Safe: Yes

General Description: The Clown Killifish, or Killi for short, is an elegant little fish that brings undeniable beauty to the freshwater nano aquarium. Sometimes also called the Rocket Killi or Banded Panchax. Native to slow-moving streams in west Africa, many of the Clown killis available within the aquarium trade are commercially produced. These aquacultured specimens are somewhat hardier than their wild counterparts. The Clown killi has an elongated and slender body, perfect for the top level of the aquarium in which it is almost exclusively found. The body pattern of males and females are similar, but males will have a very colorful blue-red tail and more elongated fins. Unlike some other killifish species that are best kept in male-female pairs, the Clown killi thrives in groups of 6 or more individuals. An adult Clown killi can reach a size of approximately 1.5″.

Diet Requirements: In the wild Clown killifish are micropredators on various tiny invertebrates and zooplankton. A diet made up of various high quality frozen foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworms, and rotifers are ideal in addition to micro floating pellet foods. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish.

Care Requirements: An extremely established minimum 10 gallon aquarium is ideal for a group of Clown killifish. Clown killis are very intolerable of nitrite or ammonia spikes, and will not endure deteriorating water parameters. These fish should not be introduced into a biologically immature aquarium. Weekly water changes are encouraged to keep water parameters pristine (Nitrates < 15 ppm). Given the environments in which they come from, Clown killifish like gentle to almost stagnant water flow. An ideal set-up for a group of Clown killis would be a planted aquarium, with some floating plants to dim the lighting. Given their small size and specialized care requirements, Clown killifish may not be suitable for the typical community aquariums that have overly rambunctious or competitive species. Mix Clown killis with other peaceful, nano shoaling tetra and rasbora species for example. Bottom dwelling species will be completely ignored. Extra care should be taken acclimating Clown killifish. Recommended water conditions, 74-82° F, KH 4-8, pH 4.0-7.0.

Purchase Size: Small: 1/2”; Medium: 3/4”

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.