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Contents
Overview
The golden wonder killifish (Aplocheilus lineatus), also called the striped panchax, is one of the largest and toughest killies. It reaches about 4 in (10 cm) and has a flat head, an upturned mouth and a long body built for hunting at the surface. Wild fish are greenish with gold spots and dark bars, but stores mostly sell the "golden wonder" form, golden yellow with metallic highlights and edged fins.
It comes from streams, rice paddies and ponds in southern India and Sri Lanka. It's easy to keep, handles a range of water types and lives several years, making it a hassle-free introduction to killifish. Just be clear on one thing: it's a surface predator, and any fish that fits in its mouth is food.
Care and tank setup
A pair needs at least 25 gallons (100 L) and a 30-32 in (80 cm) tank, with plenty of open surface and floating plants for security. Length matters more than height.
- A tight-fitting lid: it jumps hard, especially while hunting or when startled.
- Gentle flow; a filter that churns the surface bothers it.
- Tall plants, floaters (salvinia, water sprite) and driftwood for shade.
Males are territorial with each other, so in mid-size tanks keep one male with one or two females. It can live with similar-sized, non-aggressive midwater or bottom fish such as medium barbs, gouramis, larger corydoras or loaches. Neon tetras, guppies, small rasboras and dwarf shrimp will be eaten. A frequent mistake is buying a 1.5 in juvenile for a community of small fish.
Feeding
A carnivore that hunts at the surface; in the wild it eats mostly insects. Offer floating pellets or quality flakes, which it usually accepts readily, and rotate in bloodworms, adult brine shrimp, krill, small crickets or fruit flies. Feed twice a day. It will happily eat small fish, but there's no need to feed live fish: it thrives without them.
Breeding
It's easy to breed. A pair lays a few sticky eggs daily among floating-plant roots, moss or a yarn mop. Adults eat both eggs and fry, so move the mop or eggs to a separate container. They hatch in about two weeks, and the fry take baby brine shrimp right away. Sort the fry by size, since they're cannibalistic.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Golden wonder killifish (striped panchax). Calculated from the data in each profile.
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Cherry barb Puntius titteya 16 gal (60 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Tiger barb Puntigrus tetrazona 26 gal (100 L) · 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) 
Bronze cory Corydoras aeneus 21 gal (80 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Platy Xiphophorus maculatus 16 gal (60 L) · 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) 
Harlequin rasbora Trigonostigma heteromorpha 16 gal (60 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Swordtail Xiphophorus hellerii 32 gal (120 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Betta fish Betta splendens 7 gal (25 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Common goldfish Carassius auratus 79 gal (300 L) · 50–75 °F (10–24 °C) 
Panda cory Corydoras panda 16 gal (60 L) · 68–77 °F (20–25 °C) 
Zebra danio Danio rerio 16 gal (60 L) · 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) 
Angelfish Pterophyllum scalare 53 gal (200 L) · 75–84 °F (24–29 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Golden wonder killifish (striped panchax), and why.
- Discus: incompatible temperatures
- Oscar: one may eat the other due to size, incompatible temperaments
- Celestial pearl danio: one may eat the other due to size
- Ember tetra: one may eat the other due to size
- Nerite snail: eats snails
- Horned nerite snail: eats snails
- Amano shrimp: eats shrimp
- Cherry shrimp: eats shrimp
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Golden wonder killifish (striped panchax) healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Golden wonder killifish (striped panchax) need?
At least about 100 liters for a group of at least 2 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Golden wonder killifish (striped panchax) need?
Between 22 and 27 °C, with a pH of 6 to 7.5.
What fish can live with the Golden wonder killifish (striped panchax)?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Bristlenose pleco, Cherry barb, Tiger barb, Bronze cory and Platy. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Golden wonder killifish (striped panchax) be kept with shrimp?
Not recommended: because of its size or instinct, it will eat shrimp.
