Can Golden Wonder Killifish and Malawi Hawk Live Together?

Golden Wonder Killifish is a moderately assertive species (6/10), while Malawi Hawk is semi-aggressive (7/10). This modest difference means Malawi Hawk may occasionally assert dominance over Golden Wonder Killifish.

Golden Wonder Killifish and Malawi Hawk both frequent the Top (Surface) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

Worth noting: Golden Wonder Killifish is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 24°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 26.0°C) for optimal comfort.

The pH requirements of Golden Wonder Killifish (6–7.5) and Malawi Hawk (7.8–8.6) do not overlap, making it impossible to satisfy both species simultaneously.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 10–20 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Golden Wonder Killifish and Malawi Hawk together, plan for an aquarium of at least 475 litres with a minimum length of 180 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Plants - Floating, Sand (Sifters). 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.