All fish / Aplocheilidae

Werner's Killifish

Aplocheilus werneri

Also known as werner's panchax, werneri killifish, sri lankan panchax, aplocheilus werneri, アプロケイルス・ウェルネリ, 沃氏蓝眼灯

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A slim, pike-shaped killifish with a flat back and upturned mouth, built for taking insects from the surface. Males are olive to brown with rows of red spots on the flanks and colourful unpaired fins edged in yellow or red, while females are plainer. It is kept by killifish enthusiasts for its colour and its interesting surface-hunting behaviour in shaded, planted tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

One male with two or three females

Diet

Carnivore: live and frozen bloodworm, mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, daphnia, small insects; will learn to take quality flakes and pellets

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 4 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Sri Lanka (southwestern lowland rainforest streams)

Breeding

A continuous egg scatterer that lays a few eggs each day among floating plants or spawning mops. Eggs can be picked out and hatch in roughly two weeks in shallow water, and the fry take infusoria then baby brine shrimp; breeding is fairly straightforward for experienced keepers.

Good to know

It is an excellent jumper, so a tight lid is essential, and it will eat fish and shrimp small enough to fit in its mouth. Males can squabble, and the species is endemic to Sri Lanka with export restrictions, so most stock is captive bred.