Curated catalog
Golden Wonder Killifish
Aplocheilus lineatus
The *Aplocheilus lineatus*, universally sold in its 'Golden Wonder' breeding variant, is an atypical killifish. Forget the tiny and delicate creatures of Africa: this is a burly and impetuous surface predator that reaches 10-11 cm (4.5 inches). The 'Gold' male sports a dazzling golden-yellow livery, while the wild form is striped. Unlike most killifish that require specialized care, the Golden Wonder is indestructible and adapts to any aquarium, as long as it does not house fish that can fit into its surprisingly large mouth.
- Family
- Aplocheilidae
- Origin
- Asia (Fiumi e risaie dell'India peninsulare e Sri Lanka)
- Tank use
- Used in 0 tanks
22 °C - 28 °C
6 - 7.5
Freshwater
Strettamente di Superficie. Si immergono raramente, passando il tempo schiacciati contro il pelo dell'acqua.
11 cm
Description
Variants and Vision:
The 'Golden Wonder' variety, totally yellow, is a mutation created in captivity decades ago and it is very rare to find the wild striped variant in stores. They have a luminous sensory organ, a tiny metallic white spot positioned on the head between the eyes. It serves as an optical lure or reflector to attract flying insects at dusk, so that they can grab them by snapping out of the water.
Care and observations
Top-Heavy Setup:
Their life takes place exclusively on the surface. Do not waste time setting up rocky hiding places on the bottom, they will never use them. They must have floating plants with hanging roots that break the surface of the water to give them shaded areas. Without floating cover they become stressed and apathetic. The filter current must be broken (they do not tolerate whirlpools on the surface). And above all, a sealed lid: they will inevitably jump out.
The Mouth Trap (Tankmate Warning):
The most dramatic mistake beginners make is buying this beautiful yellow fish for a community aquarium with Neon Tetras. The head of the *Golden Wonder* is flat like a pike's and its mouth opens like an accordion drawer (it can triple its size in an instant). It will suck up whole fish even a third of its length. Caridina or Neocaridina shrimp will be exterminated in a single night.
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Semi-Aggressivo e Predatore opportunista. Ignoreranno completamente i pesci da fondo o di mezza vasca, ma perseguiteranno i pesciolini di superficie o considereranno cibo qualsiasi cosa misuri meno di 4 cm.
- Diet
- Carnivoro Insettivoro. Bocca enorme rivolta verso l'alto. Ingeriscono interi grilli, mosche, camole della farina e ragni caduti in acqua. In acquario sono onnivori e divorano qualsiasi cosa (scaglie, pellet), ma dovrebbero essere nutriti con abbondante krill liofilizzato, chironomus e insetti vivi.
- Tank level
- Strettamente di Superficie. Si immergono raramente, passando il tempo schiacciati contro il pelo dell'acqua.
- Minimum group
- 4
- Adult size
- 11 cm
- Minimum tank
- 100 L
- GH
- 5 dGH - 15 dGH
- KH
- n/a
- TDS
- n/a
- Conductivity
- n/a
- Sex ratio
- Gruppi misti. I maschi possono competere ma senza ferirsi seriamente.
- Feeding frequency
- 1-2 volte al giorno.
- Bioload
- Medio
- Flow
- Corrente da Nulla a Debole
- Jump risk
- Covered tank required
- Reproduction
- Plant spawners. Depongono uova grosse e resistenti tra le radici galleggianti per un periodo prolungato (depositori continui). Schiudono in due settimane. I genitori sono noti per cibarsi avidamente dei propri avannotti.
- Compatibility
- NON INSERIRE con Neon, Guppy, Rasbore o gamberetti: li mangeranno uno al giorno in un sol boccone notturno. Ideali con pesci robusti di taglia medio-grande che occupano il fondo o mezz'acqua, come Gourami grandi, Corydoras XL o Plecostomus.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.