{"product_id":"clown-killifish-epiplatys-annulatus-freshwater-nano","title":"Clown Killifish (Epiplatys annulatus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Clown Killifish (\u003cem\u003eEpiplatys annulatus\u003c\/em\u003e) 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock\u003c\/a\u003e in a planted nano with calm flow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 gallons minimum for a small group; 20 gallons for a colony with a heavy float-plant canopy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGroup size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Six or more, ideally with at least two males. Males display their best color when competing for female attention.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFloating plants:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very gentle. A sponge filter or baffled HOB is ideal. Strong current pushes them around.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tight-fitting. Killifish are jumpers, and a cracked-open lid is the most common way to lose them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAcclimation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow drip 45 minutes. Their soft, acidic native water is very different from most stores' tap, so go slow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;width:38%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eEpiplatys annulatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eClown Killifish, Banded Panchax, Rocket Killifish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNothobranchiidae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax adult size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 1.5 in (3 to 4 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMicro-carnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eTop dweller\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMin tank size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e10 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e73 to 80°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e5.5 to 7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSoft (GH below 8)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e3 to 5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eWest Africa (Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eTank Mates \u0026amp; Compatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSafe with all freshwater plants and adult Neocaridina shrimp. Caridina shrimplets may occasionally be eaten if the fish are hungry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquarium-co-op-brine-shrimp-eggs\"\u003eAquarium Co-Op Brine Shrimp Eggs\u003c\/a\u003e — hatch live baby brine for the best Clown Killi color and breeding response.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brs-brine-shrimp-hatchery\"\u003eBrine Shrimp Hatchery Kit\u003c\/a\u003e — fast, reliable setup for daily baby brine.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/water-lettuce-pistia-stratiotes-freshwater\"\u003eWater Lettuce\u003c\/a\u003e — perfect floating cover that Clown Killis hover beneath.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/frogbit-portion-cup-limnobium-spongia\"\u003eFrogbit\u003c\/a\u003e — smaller floating plant for nano tanks; same surface-cover function.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003eFreshwater aquarium plants\u003c\/a\u003e — fill in the mid and back of the tank for a balanced biotope feel.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre they really killifish? Will they kill other fish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\"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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep just one or two?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYou can, but they will hide. They display best in groups of six or more where males put on color shows for the females.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo they need live food?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nWild-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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy do they hang motionless at the surface?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThat 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48822377185499,"sku":"8370040","price":5.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_e05f3b21-6759-42cc-9e3a-a127d73a6554.png?v=1780149924","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/clown-killifish-epiplatys-annulatus-freshwater-nano","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}