Aplocheilus lineatus

The Striped Panchax, often sold as the Golden Wonder Killifish, is a vibrant and active fish that brings a lot of life to the top level of an aquarium. With its shimmering golden-yellow body and streamlined shape, it’s a beautiful addition for keepers with some prior experience. This fish is a surface-dweller, meaning it will spend almost all its time near the top of the water, looking for food. Speaking of food, it is a carnivore and needs a high-protein diet. While it enjoys flakes and pellets that float, it truly thrives when given treats like frozen or live foods. Originating from the slow-moving waters of Asia, it feels most at home in an aquarium with low water flow. A very strong current from a filter can stress it out. A secure lid on the tank is absolutely essential, as this fish is a natural jumper and can easily escape an open-topped aquarium. While they are fascinating to watch, their territorial nature and predatory instincts mean they are not suitable for a community tank with very small fish, like Neon Tetras or any shrimp, as these will likely be seen as a meal. They do best with larger, peaceful fish that occupy the middle and bottom of the tank. To feel secure and display their best behavior, they should be kept in a small group of at least four. This helps to spread out any aggression and encourages more natural social interactions.