Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Golden Wonder Killifish
Aplocheilus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1846)
Also called Striped panchax, Golden wonder panchax, Golden wonder
From South Asia: widespread in peninsular India and northern Sri Lanka, in streams, ponds, swamps, rice paddies and sometimes brackish water. The golden wonder itself is an aquarium-bred colour form.123
At a glance the quick version
Usually about 7 cm; up to 10 cm TL
Wikipedia: life expectancy around six years
Looks how to spot one
Scaled, pike-shaped surface killifish
A slender killifish. Wild fish carry dark bars on the flanks, thinner in males, while the golden wonder is a selectively bred golden-yellow form. Males are larger and more brightly coloured.13
Personality what they are like
A surface-lurking predator. Fine with peaceful fish too large to swallow, such as bigger tetras and calm cichlids, but it will eat very small fish. Males can spar with each other.1
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
A tight lid is a must. Some surface plants mirror the vegetated waters it lives in.1
Home where they are happiest
Minimum tank base about 75 x 30 cm (around 68 litres; FishBase suggests 80 cm). Temperature about 22-27 °C, pH 6.0-7.5, hardness 5-20 dGH.12
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Natural predator of insects, crustaceans and small fish. Accepts live, frozen and dried foods.13
Company who they like around
Can be kept singly or in a group if the tank is big enough to spread out.1
The story where it all began
Valenciennes described the striped panchax in 1846. Aquarists later selectively bred a golden, almost stripeless form, sold as the golden wonder, which does not occur in the wild.13
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It has been used in its native countries to help control mosquitoes by eating their larvae.2
- 2
The golden wonder colour form was created in aquariums and is not found in nature.1
- 3
A light-sensitive spot on top of its head helps it notice insects and movement above the water.3
- 4
Unlike annual killifish, it lives in permanent water and is not seasonal.2
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed October 2009)2
- Taxonomy
- Family Aplocheilidae; described by Valenciennes in 1846, formerly Panchax lineatum1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Golden Wonder Killifish. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Water changeAbout 25% of the waterevery week
- Water testevery week
- Glass cleanevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Seriously Fish: Aplocheilus lineatus (Striped Panchax) seriouslyfish.comused for names, range, size, tank, water, diet, behaviour, dimorphism, golden form, taxonomy
- FishBase: Aplocheilus lineatus, Striped panchax fishbase.seused for author and year, distribution, length, environment, IUCN status, mosquito control
- Wikipedia: Aplocheilus lineatus en.wikipedia.orgused for golden wonder form, size, diet, lifespan, head spot
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.