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No federal permit to keepStriped panchax
Aplocheilus lineatus
Fishes › Killifish and livebearers (Cyprinodontiformes) › Aplocheilidae (Panchax killifish)
The striped panchax (Aplocheilus lineatus) is a species of killifish, of the genus Aplocheilus.
Care at a glance
Species-specific aquarium care
- Tank: At least 24 in long and 12 in front to back for one adult (adults commonly reach about 2.8 in / 7 cm; the largest recorded was 3.9 in).
- Water: Freshwater (tolerates brackish).
- Temperature: 72–77°F (range recorded for this species).
- Layout: Uses both the bottom and open water: give open swimming space plus cover near the substrate.
Calculated from this species' own FishBase record: tank size from its typical adult length and swimming zone, water values from its recorded ranges. The group guide below fills in general care.
Care guide
Species care notes
- Tank: a base of at least 30 × 12 in (roughly 18 US gallons); space needed is rated “modest tank”.
- Water: a fairly wide range, from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, 75–81 °F, pH 6–7.5, 5–20 dGH.
- Behaviour: temperament predatory.
- Difficulty: Moderate (Seriously Fish rating).
Short excerpts from the species profile:
- Setup: “A dimly lit tank with areas of dense planting and pieces of driftwood and rocks arranged to form hiding places suits this species.”
- Tankmates: “Despite its predatory nature A.”
From the Seriously Fish profile for this species, which has the full habitat, maintenance, diet, behaviour and breeding write-up 167
Panchax killifish
Applies to most species in this group. Habitat: Aplocheilus inhabit vegetated Asian streams, swamps and rice paddies, while Pachypanchax occur in Madagascar and Seychelles freshwater habitats (lineatus, playfairii). Individual species can differ, so compare with the species numbers above and the linked sources.
Housing & setup
- For A. lineatus use at least 75 × 30 × 30 cm, approximately 68 L (lineatus).
- Fit a close-fitting lid to prevent Aplocheilus jumping (lineatus).
- Provide dim lighting, floating plants and dense planted refuges (lineatus).
- Arrange wood and rocks into hiding places, especially for subordinate fish (lineatus).
Diet
- Quality dried food sized to the fish (lineatus, playfairii).
- Live or frozen Daphnia and bloodworms (playfairii).
- Gut-loaded wingless fruit flies or tiny crickets for Pachypanchax (playfairii).
Social life
- Keep only tankmates too large to swallow; male aggression requires space and refuges, and species tanks are preferable for conservation breeding (lineatus, playfairii).
Health watch
- Ammonia toxicity from inadequate biofiltration (fish_health).
- Parasitic skin and gill infections (fish_health).
- Nutritional deficiencies from unsuitable diets (fish_health).
Understanding the animal
About this animal
About this animal
An aquarium variant of this species with a more yellowish coloration is known as golden wonder killifish. The striped panchax inhabits fresh and brackish waters of India and Sri Lanka.
Quoted from the Wikipedia article “Striped panchax” (CC BY-SA 4.0) 174
In the wild
In the wild
From this species’ own FishBase record (habitat, bottom type, water and breeding data), not its family. Good care copies these conditions.1
| Where it lives | Lives in freshwater and brackish water, in rivers and streams. Uses both the bottom and open water. Lives in streams and reservoirs at high altitudes, and in rivers, wells of the plains, low-lying paddy fields, swamps and brackish waters. |
| Water it lives in | Freshwater / brackish water, 72–77 °F (22–25 °C). |
| Climate | Tropical climate. |
| Behavior to plan for | Breeding: open water/substratum egg scatterers. |
What this means for care
- Keep water within its wild range, 72–77 °F.
- It tolerates or needs brackish water; check salinity needs before setup.
Native climate (measured)
Native climate (measured)
| Warm-season highs | about 92°F (up to 99°F in the hottest sampled areas) |
| Cool-season lows | about 64°F (down to 58°F in the coldest sampled areas) |
| Average temperature | 75–82°F across sampled records |
| Relative humidity | 69–77% on average (driest month about 62%) |
| Rainfall | about 2954 mm a year, with strong wet and dry seasons |
Measured at 67 wild occurrence records sampled against WorldClim 2.1 climate data (1970–2000 averages). Air conditions in the range are ecological context, not enclosure settings: microhabitats such as burrows, leaf litter or basking rocks can be cooler, warmer or more humid.
From the sources
From the sources
Quoted from the matching sections of reputable sources for this exact species. Specialist databases are used first; Wikipedia (community-edited, CC BY-SA 4.0) only fills gaps. Other sources are short credited quotes.
| Overview | The striped panchax (Aplocheilus lineatus) is a species of killifish, of the genus Aplocheilus. An aquarium variant of this species with a more yellowish coloration is known as golden wonder killifish. The striped panchax inhabits fresh and brackish waters of India and Sri Lanka. It is found in streams, rivers, swamps, and paddy fields. — Wikipedia (community-edited) |
| Where it lives | Home ranges Population dynamics Growth parameters Max. ages / sizes Length-weight rel. Length-frequencies Mass conversion Recruitment Abundance Life cycle Reproduction Maturity Maturity/Gills rel. — FishBase |
| Biology | Adults are found in streams and reservoirs at high altitudes, and in rivers, wells of the plains, low-lying paddy fields, swamps and brackish waters. Utilized for mosquito control. Not a seasonal killifish. — FishBase |
Data and studies
The numbers
The numbers
Each bar is what one source reports. Where several sources weigh in, the dashed gold band marks their average.
Adult length
Common length to maximum recorded length. Measured as total length. Fish in home aquariums often stay smaller than wild records.
Water temperature
Range the species tolerates in nature; aim for the middle.
pH
Water hardness
Minimum tank footprint
Seriously Fish recommends a tank base of at least 30 × 12 in (about 18 US gallons).
Sources for this sheet
- FishBase (Froese & Pauly, eds.), version 24.07 Peer-reviewed researchThe global scientific database on fishes, maintained by a consortium of research institutions; every value is referenced.
- Seriously Fish species profiles Experienced keeper or breederLong-running aquarium reference written and peer-checked by experienced fishkeepers and ichthyologists; each profile covers habitat, tank size, water, diet, behaviour and breeding.
- Seriously Fish: Aplocheilus lineatus Experienced keeper or breederAdded in the 2026 source-checked care-guide review.
- Seriously Fish: Pachypanchax playfairii Experienced keeper or breederAdded in the 2026 source-checked care-guide review.
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Disorders and Diseases of Fish Zoo, university or veterinaryAdded in the 2026 source-checked care-guide review.
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Management of Aquarium Fish Zoo, university or veterinaryAdded in the 2026 source-checked care-guide review.
- Wikipedia (species article) Community referenceFree encyclopedia; useful overviews with their own citations. Intro text is quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- iNaturalist (captive observations) Community referenceCommunity observation platform run by the California Academy of Sciences and National Geographic; observations marked captive show animals living in homes, zoos and aquariums.
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