A large, incredibly hardy, surface-dwelling killifish. The 'Golden Wonder' is a selectively bred bright yellow morph of the wild Striped Panchax. They are notorious predators with surprisingly large, trapdoor-like mouths; they will easily consume neon tetras, guppies, and dwarf shrimp. They are completely peaceful with fish too large to eat, but require a tight-fitting lid as they are expert jumpers.
At a Glance
Tank Requirements
Water Parameters
Temperament & Compatibility
Available Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Male (Golden Wonder)
The vividly colored, line-bred golden morph that dominates the aquarium trade. Males are larger, have pointed fins, and exhibit the brightest yellow-gold coloration. Highly predatory towards smaller fish.
Differs in 1 trait from base species
Also known as: Gold Killi, Male Golden Wonder, Standard
Female (Golden Wonder)
Slightly smaller and noticeably paler than the males, often exhibiting faint vertical stripes on the rear half of the body. Still poses a significant predation risk to small tank mates.
Differs in 2 traits from base species
Also known as: Female Golden Wonder
Wild Type (Striped Panchax)
The natural wild coloration. Males feature a bronze/green metallic body with distinct black vertical stripes across the posterior half, while females are more subdued.
Differs in 1 trait from base species
Also known as: Striped Panchax, Natural Form, Wild Type
Golden Wonder Killifish Care Summary
The Golden Wonder Killifish, scientifically known as Aplocheilus lineatus, belongs to the Killifish family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 10 cm and have a fusiform body shape with a fast growth rate. Classified as semi-aggressive, this species primarily occupies the surface zone of the aquarium and produces a medium level of biological waste.
To thrive, the Golden Wonder Killifish requires a brackish tolerant aquarium with a minimum volume of 75 litres and a tank length of at least 60 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 22°C and 28°C, with a pH range of 6–7.5 and a general hardness of 5–20 dGH. A low water flow is preferred. To replicate their natural habitat, the tank should include plants - floating.
Golden Wonder Killifish can be kept singly or in a group, making them flexible additions to most setups. Keepers should be aware that this species will prey on fish small enough to fit in its mouth, is not safe with ornamental shrimp, and is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential. This species is available in 3 varieties: Male (Golden Wonder), Female (Golden Wonder), and Wild Type (Striped Panchax). Each may differ slightly in size, temperament, or care needs, so it is worth checking the specific requirements of the variety you plan to keep.
Similar Species
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Epiplatys annulatus
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Freshwater Angelfish
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Gardner's Killifish
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A stunning, semi-annual killifish native to Nigeria and Cameroon. Known for being relatively hardy and an excellent 'beginner' killifish. They are notorious jumpers and require a tightly fitting lid. While they can be kept in community tanks with similarly sized, fast-moving fish, males can be boisterous and territorial.
Sparkling Gourami
Trichopsis pumila
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