Golden Wonder Killifish
Aplocheilus lineatus
Also known as: Golden wonder panchax, Striped panchax, Golden wonder killi
Quick Facts
- Adult size: 9-10 cm (3.5-4 inches)
- Minimum tank size: 75 litres (20 gallons)
- Lifespan: 3–5 years
- Temperament: semi-aggressive
- Swimming level: top
- Diet: carnivore
- Minimum group size: 1
- Difficulty: intermediate
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 23–27°C
- pH: 6–7.5
- Hardness (GH): 71–268 ppm (4–15 dGH)
Values above are general hardness (GH). For carbonate hardness (KH), the buffer that keeps pH stable, see the water parameters guide.
Care Summary
A hardy, handsome, and surprisingly large killifish, the golden wonder is a metallic gold-green strain of the striped panchax, a torpedo-shaped surface predator from India and Sri Lanka. Reaching around 10cm, it hangs just beneath the surface watching for anything that moves, and that is the key to keeping it: it is an accomplished jumper that must have a tight lid, and it is a genuine predator with a wide mouth that will eat any fish or shrimp small enough to swallow. It is otherwise undemanding, tolerant of a range of water from 23 to 27 degrees, and happy on floating and frozen foods. Keep it singly, as a pair, or in a small group with a secure lid, and pair it only with fish too large to be seen as a meal. A characterful, hardy introduction to the killifish, provided its appetite and its jumping are respected.
Tankmates
A surface-dwelling predator that will eat any tankmate or shrimp small enough to fit in its wide mouth, so keep it only with fish too large to swallow, such as larger tetras, barbs, peaceful cichlids like apistogramma, gouramis, and bottom-dwellers like corydoras and bristlenose. Avoid neon tetras, nano fish, guppies, and dwarf shrimp, which are food. It is an accomplished jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential. Keep it singly, as a pair, or in a small group.
Compatible with
- Angelfish
- Pearl Gourami
- Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid
- Bristlenose Pleco
- Bronze Corydoras
- Rosy Barb
- Denison Barb
Avoid keeping with
Common Problems
- jumping from open or poorly-covered tanks
- eating small fish and dwarf shrimp
- sensitivity to ammonia and nitrite, so a mature, stable tank is needed
- wasting sinking foods, as it feeds only at the surface
Sources: seriouslyfish.com, fishbase.org · Last updated: 2026-10-13