Can Golden Wonder Killifish and Lima Shovelnose Catfish Live Together?

Golden Wonder Killifish is a moderately assertive species (6/10), while Lima Shovelnose Catfish is generally mild-mannered (4/10). This modest difference means Golden Wonder Killifish may occasionally assert dominance over Lima Shovelnose Catfish.

In terms of spatial distribution, Golden Wonder Killifish prefers the Top (Surface) zone, whereas Lima Shovelnose Catfish occupies the Middle (Open Water) and Bottom (Substrate) zones. Because they use different levels of the water column, territorial disputes are less likely and the tank will appear more balanced.

Worth noting: Lima Shovelnose Catfish is nocturnal and will be most active after lights-out, naturally reducing daytime encounters. Also, Golden Wonder Killifish is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 23°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 25.5°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6 and 7.5. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 5–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Golden Wonder Killifish and Lima Shovelnose Catfish together, plan for an aquarium of at least 500 litres with a minimum length of 150 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Because this pairing requires extra vigilance, include plenty of hiding spots — caves, driftwood, and dense plant clusters — so the less dominant fish can retreat when needed.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Plants - Floating, Sand (Sifters), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Both species do well with low (still water) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.

This pairing usually fails when the tank is treated like a standard mixed community and the caution flags are ignored. Golden Wonder Killifish and Lima Shovelnose Catfish need extra room, more cover, and closer observation during the first few weeks so small aggression, feeding, or territory issues do not snowball into a long-term problem.