Clown Killifish (Rocket Killi)
Epiplatys annulatus
The Clown Killifish or Rocket Killifish (Epiplatys annulatus) is a miniaturized jewel and one of the smallest species in fishkeeping, barely reaching 3 cm (or 3.5 cm in old males). Its tapered cream-colored body is wrapped in 4 broad vertical black bands. But the real show, from which the name "rocket" derives, is the male's tail: spade or flame-shaped, with alternating horizontal streaks of red, bright blue, and yellow in the center. Exclusively a surface fish, it inhabits the highest layers of the aquarium. Its tiny size and upward-facing mouth make feeding its biggest challenge.
Température de l’eau
22 - 26 °C
Valeur du pH
5 - 7
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Surface
Taille adulte
4 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 30 L
Groupe minimal
>= 6
GH
1 - 10 dGH
KH
1 - 5 dKH
TDS
25 - 200 ppm
Conductivité
39 - 313 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: 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.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
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 Cohabitation: 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 Breeding: 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.
Origine et répartition géographiques
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.
Origine
Afrique et Madagascar
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- They are exceedingly peaceful, shy, and somewhat delicate by nature. They spend most of their time quietly stalking microscopic prey among floating plant roots. They can be easily intimidated by active tank mates and will hide constantly if stressed.
- Régime alimentaire
- Insectivore
- They are strict micro-predators requiring a diet of appropriately sized meaty foods. They thrive on live foods like newly hatched brine shrimp, microworms, and wingless fruit flies. They can often be trained to accept very high-quality, finely crushed dry flakes or micro-pellets.
- Espérance de vie
- 2-3 years
- Taille adulte
- 4 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- School
- To minimize male-on-male aggression, it is best to keep a ratio of one male to two or three females. Males display intensely to one another but rarely cause actual physical harm if adequate space is provided. A female-heavy group ensures successful and less stressful spawning.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- Feed them very small amounts of appropriately sized food one to two times daily. Since their mouths are tiny, food must be small enough for them to swallow whole. Ensure that the food remains at the surface long enough for them to eat.
- Charge biologique
- Low
- The Clown killifish is extremely tiny and consequently produces a very low bioload. They are perfect for small nano aquariums, provided the water quality is meticulously maintained. Gentle biological filtration and regular small water changes are entirely sufficient for their needs.
- Courant
- Strong
- They originate from stagnant or very slow-moving swamps and heavily vegetated streams. They absolutely require a very gentle flow, as strong currents will quickly exhaust them. A sponge filter is highly recommended to provide filtration without disruptive water movement.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- Like most killifish, Clown killis are extraordinary jumpers capable of leaping through the smallest openings. A completely tight-fitting lid with absolutely no gaps is critically essential. Floating plants can help deter them from jumping by providing surface cover and security.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- They are plant-spawners that will readily deposit eggs in fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Eggs take about two weeks to hatch, and the fry require microscopic foods like infusoria immediately. Parent fish may eat the fry, so removing the eggs to a separate rearing tank is advisable.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Species only
- These are incredibly peaceful and timid micro-predators that are easily outcompeted for food. They must be kept with other similarly sized, highly peaceful nano fish or dwarf shrimp. Avoid keeping them with any boisterous, fin-nipping, or moderately sized fish species.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Top
- They are strict top-dwellers, spending almost their entire lives hovering just below the water's surface. They rarely venture into the middle or bottom levels of the aquarium. Providing dense covers of floating plants makes them feel secure in their preferred zone.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3,2 ± 0,4 se
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.00603, b = 3.13
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
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