Striped panchax
Aplocheilus lineatus
A big non-annual killifish that patrols the surface and eats anything that fits in its mouth; a jumper that needs a tight lid.
Key facts
- Body length
- 3.9 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 22 gallons
- Group
- 2+
- Temperament
- Predatory
- Care level
- 2 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Floating pellets, frozen bloodworm, insects
- Origin
- Peninsular India and Sri Lanka
- Hardier than47%
- Bigger than59%
- Calmer than5%
Water: their range vs yours
Striped panchax tank mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- AngelfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bristlenose plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Common plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Dwarf gouramiGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fairy cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Firemouth cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Leopard sailfin plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Pearl gouramiGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Rosy barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Siamese algae eaterGets along in shared water.Good mates
- SwordtailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasStriped panchax (predatory) will bully the peaceful Panda corydoras.Risky
- Cherry shrimpStriped panchax can eat young or small Cherry shrimp; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- Amano shrimpStriped panchax eats dwarf shrimp: Amano shrimp (PROP).Risky
- Blood parrot cichlidStriped panchax outcompetes the slow-eating Blood parrot cichlid for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Bronze coryStriped panchax (predatory) will bully the peaceful Bronze cory.Risky
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Striped panchax.Risky
- Neon tetraStriped panchax can eat Neon tetra: prey body depth 0.7 cm ≤ mouth 2.0 cm.Avoid
- Harlequin rasboraStriped panchax can eat Harlequin rasbora: prey body depth 1.1 cm ≤ mouth 2.0 cm.Avoid
- Fancy guppyStriped panchax can eat Fancy guppy: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 2.0 cm.Avoid
- OtocinclusStriped panchax can eat Otocinclus: prey body depth 0.7 cm ≤ mouth 2.0 cm.Avoid
- Tiger barbStriped panchax eats small fish: Tiger barb (SF: 'eats smaller fish').Avoid
- Black neon tetraStriped panchax can eat Black neon tetra: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 2.0 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for striped panchax: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 10 cm (TL)
- Adult mass
- 5.13 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 3.47 BU
- Min. water
- 68 L net
- Min. footprint
- 75 × 30 cm per pair
- Group
- 2+ (best 2)
- Swims in
- surface, top
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- carnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- —
Sources: Seriously Fish: Aplocheilus lineatus · FishBase: Aplocheilus lineatus
Care notes
Striped panchax come from streams, swamps and rice paddies of peninsular India and Sri Lanka and grow to about 4 inches. The golden wonder is a colour form of the same species.
A pair needs a 30-inch tank of about 20 gallons with floating cover and a tight lid. Small fish and shrimp will be eaten, while peaceful cichlids, larger tetras and corys make suitable company.
Questions
What size tank does a striped panchax need?
At least 22 gallons (68 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 3.9 inches without fins.
How many striped panchax should be kept together?
Keep at least 2, ideally 2 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do striped panchax need?
75–81 °F, pH 6–7.5 and 5–20 dGH. Striped panchax come from Peninsular India and Sri Lanka.
How long do striped panchax live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with striped panchax?
Good tank mates include Betta, Angelfish, Bristlenose pleco, Common pleco and Dwarf gourami. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.