Clown Killifish (Rocket Killi)

Geographic Origin and Biotope: West Africa (Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone). Populates isolated sylvan swamps, flooded savannas in the shade and slow streams covered by layers of debris and dead leaves.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Clown Killifish / Rocket Killifish (Epiplatys annulatus). One of the smallest but most beloved killifish on the market. Unlike annual Killis, it is a "non-annual Killi", so it lives 3-5 years in the tank. Dorsally flattened torpedo profile.

Social Behavior: Tiny and calm, it spends 90% of the day literally patrolling the surface film of the water hunting for micro-insects. Tolerates its peers very well, even males (but in tiny tanks there can be harmless skirmishes).

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: "Hornet" livery: large black and yellow-cream vertical bands wrapping the entire body. But the name "Rocket" comes from the spectacular tail of the male, flame-like, with ice blue and fire orange streaks. Very sober females, colorless fins.

Aquarium Setup: A well-balanced 20 liter (5 gallon) tank (Nano Tank) is enough, full of floating plants (Salvinia, Limnobium) or Riccia fluitans. The water absolutely MUST NOT ripple much. Absolutely closed lid or they will escape at night.

Diet and Feeding: Ravenous surface insectivore. Hardly goes down. To be fed with fruit flies (apterous Drosophila) and springtails, or frozen bloodworms placed delicately on the leaf. Accepts crushed dry food in micro-flakes.

Water Quality: They thrive in dark teas (tannic waters), love a pH of 6.0 and low hardness. They tolerate natural thermal shocks, but summer temperatures over 28°C (82°F) reduce the availability of oxygen they breathe on the surface.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Ideal companion for Boraras, small Corydoras (Pygmaeus/Habrosus) or Otocinclus. Do not put them with active and frantic fish like Guppies, because they would stress it and steal all its food before it comes into range.

Aquarium Reproduction: Spawns daily (1-3 eggs) hooking them in the thick roots of the floaters. Without any intervention, 3 weeks later the microscopic larvae will begin to be glimpsed on the surface. Offer vinegar eels (microworms).

Risks and Diseases: Fatal jump from the filter cracks. Extreme sensitivity to Mycobacterium and fungi (Saprolegnia) if kept in tanks that are too warm and "clean" without the antibacterial compounds provided by the release of tannin.