Epiplatys annulatus
Clown Killi
Clown Killi
Low stock: 2 left
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Remarks: Clown killifish, also known as the banded panchax, get their name from the alternating brown and tan bands from their nose to their caudal peduncle. They are also sometimes called rocket killifish due to the tails of males being pointed, with a yellow band in the middle, bordered by a thin red stripe on each side, followed by a thick blue stripe to finish the fin giving them the appearance of a rocket ship taking off. Females and juveniles have the same body color and blue eyes as males, but lack the colorful tail. The coloration present in these fish is intense and unique making them a must have for nano fish and killifish enthusiasts.
Even for a killifish, clown killifish are considered to be a very small species. It is rare for them to ever exceed 1" in length and most for sale will usually be in the 0.25-0.5" range. With how tiny they are, care should be taken when choosing both filtration and tank mates. Some filters can easily suck these tiny fish in especially in the case of ones with overflow intakes since clown killifish are surface dwellers. This can be prevented through the use of filter grates and guards or using nanofish friendly filters such as sponge filters. As for tankmates, clown killifish should never be kept with fish that have mouths big enough to swallow them or fish that are overly aggressive. Aggressive or territorial fish can easily stress the clown killifish which is already skittish. Interestingly, unlike most killifish, this species does best in groups rather than pairs. A group of at least 6-8 fish is recommended with a preferable ratio of two females for every male as males can get a bit territorial when spawning. If not kept in proper numbers, clown killifish will be even more skittish and can become stressed resulting in them becoming ill or cause them to stop eating.
As is typical of killifish, clown killifish are jumpers and getting spooked makes them more likely to jump. To prevent them from jumping out of the tank, a tight fitting lid should be utilized. Having floating plants in the tank such as frogbit or salvinia will also help them feel secure and can even encourage spawning as they will deposit eggs on their roots. In general, a heavily planted tank is very ideal for this species for the aforementioned reasons as well as the fact planted tanks allow for plenty of microorganism growth. Clown killifish, being micropredators, will feed on these organism which can act as a supplemental food. Due to their small size and fast metabolism, they should be fed at least twice a day with small, meaty foods such as baby brine shrimp, daphnia, artemia, copepods, and just about any other tiny invertebrate. Some can be trained to feed on crushed flake and extremely tiny crumble or powder foods, but small live and frozen foods should always be included in their diet.
If looking to breed clown killifish, setting up a heavily planted tank and feeding high quality foods to a group with a proper gender ratio in the right parameters can almost guarantee spawning. The real challenge is raising the fry which are born extremely tiny and will need to be fed equally tiny foods such as infusoria. There is also the threat of them being eaten by the adult fish so it is recommended to isolate fry when you see them. When you get into the process of breeding and raising these fish, they can prove to be a very rewarding project. Otherwise, they can make an excellent addition to many nano tanks.
Animal Data
Animal Data
- Native to: West Africa
- Breeding: Tank-raised in Indonesia
- Max adult size: 0.5-1"
- Diet: Carnivore
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Care skill: Intermediate
Tank Parameters
Tank Parameters
- Temp range: 70°F - 80°F
- pH range: 4.0 - 7.0
- TDS range: 15 ppm - 150 ppm
- Min Tank Size:
Shipping Info
Shipping Info
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS Next Day Air | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS Next Day Air | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS Next Day Air | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 | UPS Next Day Air | $69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS Next Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
Why buy from us?
Our Healthy & Happy Arrival guarantee
We've been packing and shipping live fish for over 50 years. When you buy from us, you get the healthiest stock and most experienced live fish shipping in the industry. So you know you won't be disappointed!
Will my fish look like the picture?
The majority of fish on our website will NOT look like their photos upon their unboxing. Fish change in appearance depending on many factors, including mood, age, gender, and social status. Fish will naturally lose color during shipping and may appear faded upon arrival. Pictures are used as examples only. Pictures may be of mature fish with full color or juvenile fish without color. We encourage you to research the species as much as possible prior to ordering in order to familiarize yourself with the various appearances they may take on. Many species have females that look drastically different to their male counterparts, and many juveniles will not have as much color (or different colors) as their adult forms. If you have questions about how the fish will look, please review their information and email us if you have any questions.
How do I know which fish can go together in my tank?
Research the product descriptions on our website and use Google search to help decide which fish can go together. PLEASE do your research and email us if you have any questions. Also, we have a very active Facebook group called Imperial Tropicals Fishkeepers where you can learn from knowledgable and experienced fishkeepers.
How do you ship live fish? Sounds risky!
We've been shipping live fish for over 50 years. we use specialized packaging and techniques to ensure their health. See how we do it.
How much does shipping cost?
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS Next Day Air | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS Next Day Air | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS Next Day Air | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 | UPS Next Day Air | $69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS Next Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
When will I get my order?
We need 2-4 days to select and pack your fish, you'll get a notification when it ships along with tracking info. It will arrive the next day or day after, depending on your location. See our Shipping Policy for full info.
What if my order is delayed? Will my fish be OK?
We ship hundreds of packages a week, and most are delivered without any issues thanks to our experienced team and premium air courier service. Our high-tech packaging is designed to sustain the animals a minimum of 2-3 days in the box, and in some cases longer, depending on the breed.
However, sometimes delays do occur. If this happens to your order, please document and contact us promptly following our inspection and documentation policies above in order to receive credit.
Can I change or cancel my order after it is placed?
Orders can be changed or cancelled within 24 hours, subject to a 10% restocking fee. Shipping is stressful for the animals and we cannot open boxes once they have been prepped and packed.
Can you hold my order until my tank is ready?
We can hold for a few days, but not beyond a week as inventory changes rapidly. Please only place your order when you know you will be ready to receive them.
What if my order is missing something?
First, please check the box and packaging thoroughly. If you are sure an item is missing please contact us immediately.
Do you offer pickup on local orders?
Yes! Just specify local pickup as your shipping option in checkout and we'll let you know when it is ready.
What if a fish I receive seems dead, sick or doesn't look right?
97% of our orders arrive without an issue. But if something goes wrong, no worries! You're covered under our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee