Clown Killifish (Epiplatys annulatus)

The Clown Killifish (Epiplatys annulatus) is one of the most striking nano fish in the hobby: a tiny rocket-shaped body, bold cream and black vertical bands, and bright red-and-blue flecks on the tail of mature males. They live and feed at the very top of the water column, hovering motionless under floating plants and snatching tiny prey as it drifts by. Pair them with our other freshwater livestock in a planted nano with calm flow.

Despite the "killi" name, these are peaceful surface dwellers, not aggressive. They are a perfect centerpiece for 10 to 20 gallon planted tanks, especially blackwater scapes with floating plants like Frogbit, Salvinia, or Water Lettuce.

Care Guide

• Tank size: 10 gallons minimum for a small group; 20 gallons for a colony with a heavy float-plant canopy.
• Group size: Six or more, ideally with at least two males. Males display their best color when competing for female attention.
• Diet: Micro-carnivore. Tiny mouths — they need small foods: baby brine shrimp, frozen cyclops, frozen daphnia, micro-pellets that float, and crushed flake. Many wild-caught fish refuse dry food at first and need live or frozen.
• Floating plants: Essential. Clown Killis spend nearly all their time at the top inch of the tank and need plant cover for shade and security. Floating moss, Frogbit, Salvinia, or Water Lettuce all work.
• Flow: Very gentle. A sponge filter or baffled HOB is ideal. Strong current pushes them around.
• Lid: Tight-fitting. Killifish are jumpers, and a cracked-open lid is the most common way to lose them.
• Acclimation: Slow drip 45 minutes. Their soft, acidic native water is very different from most stores' tap, so go slow.

Specifications

Tank Mates & Compatibility

Best in a species-only nano or paired with other small, peaceful, non-competitive species that occupy a different layer of the tank. Chili Rasboras, Pygmy Cories, Dwarf Pencilfish, Otocinclus, and Neocaridina shrimp colonies all work. Avoid mid-water boisterous feeders (most tetras out-compete Clown Killis at the surface), large or fin-nipping species, and any fish big enough to view a Clown Killi as food.

Safe with all freshwater plants and adult Neocaridina shrimp. Caridina shrimplets may occasionally be eaten if the fish are hungry.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Aquarium Co-Op Brine Shrimp Eggs — hatch live baby brine for the best Clown Killi color and breeding response.
• Brine Shrimp Hatchery Kit — fast, reliable setup for daily baby brine.
• Water Lettuce — perfect floating cover that Clown Killis hover beneath.
• Frogbit — smaller floating plant for nano tanks; same surface-cover function.
• Freshwater aquarium plants — fill in the mid and back of the tank for a balanced biotope feel.

FAQ

Are they really killifish? Will they kill other fish?
"Killi" comes from a Dutch word for "small creek" not from "kill." Clown Killifish are completely peaceful and one of the safest small fish in the hobby. They will not bother any tank mate larger than their tiny mouths.

Can I keep just one or two?
You can, but they will hide. They display best in groups of six or more where males put on color shows for the females.

Do they need live food?
Wild-caught individuals often need live or frozen food at first (baby brine, daphnia, cyclops). Captive-bred fish usually take micro-pellets and crushed flake right away. Either way, supplement with frozen for best color.

Why do they hang motionless at the surface?
That is their normal posture. Clown Killifish are sit-and-wait surface ambush feeders. As long as they are alert and react to food drops, they are healthy.