Moderate
Blue Panchax Killifish (Aplocheilus panchax)
22–26°C · pH 6.5–7.8 · 80L
£7.99
Gold Striped Panchax is the golden aquarium form of Aplocheilus lineatus, a confident surface-dwelling killifish for covered planted aquariums.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Aplocheilus lineatus
Gold Striped Panchax bond and breed in male/female pairs — buying a pair gives them the social structure they need.
Gold Striped Panchax is the golden aquarium form of Aplocheilus lineatus, a confident surface-dwelling killifish for covered planted aquariums.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Gold Striped Panchax (Aplocheilus lineatus), often sold as Golden Wonder Killifish or Panchax Lineatus Gold, is a golden aquarium form of the Striped Panchax. It is best understood as Aplocheilus lineatus with gold colour-form wording in the trade name, not as a separate scientific species. This is an active, surface-dwelling killifish with a metallic yellow body, bold feeding response and a very strong jumping habit.
This listing suits aquarists who want a distinctive top-level fish for a covered planted aquarium. Gold Striped Panchax are hardy once settled, but they are not tiny peaceful nano fish. They are confident micro-predators, so the best results come from a tank with calm surface space, floating cover, a secure lid and tank mates too large to be swallowed.
| Scientific name | Aplocheilus lineatus |
|---|---|
| Trade names | Gold Striped Panchax, Golden Wonder Killifish, Panchax Lineatus Gold |
| Adult size | Usually 7-10 cm |
| Minimum aquarium | 80 litres or more, with a tight-fitting cover |
| Temperature | 22-26 C |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 preferred, adaptable if stable |
| Temperament | Confident surface predator; peaceful with suitable larger tank mates |
| Diet | Carnivorous/insectivore; frozen, live and quality prepared foods |
A covered aquarium is essential. Aplocheilus lineatus naturally uses the surface, watches for insects and can jump through surprisingly small gaps. Keep the lid tight around cables, filter pipes and feeding holes. Floating plants, tall stems and shaded corners help the fish feel secure without blocking all open swimming space.
Use stable tropical conditions rather than chasing exact numbers. A temperature around 22-26 C, moderate hardness and neutral to slightly acidic water work well for captive aquarium stock. The species is recorded from freshwater and some brackish-influenced habitats, but a normal freshwater community aquarium is appropriate when the water is clean, mature and stable.
Gold Striped Panchax are surface feeders. Offer small floating carnivore pellets or granules as the staple, then rotate frozen bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae and occasional live foods. They usually learn feeding times quickly and may take food before slower fish notice it, so check that lower-level tank mates are still being fed properly.
Choose calm, similar-sized fish that occupy the middle or lower levels. Good options can include robust rasboras, peaceful barbs, larger tetras, Corydoras, loaches and other fish that are not small enough to be seen as food. Avoid very small nano fish, fry, tiny shrimp, delicate long-finned fish and cramped groups of rival male killifish. A pair or trio usually works better than keeping several mature males together in a small aquarium.
This fish spends much of its time in the top third of the aquarium, often waiting just under the surface for food. That behaviour is part of its appeal, because it gives movement and colour to a part of the tank that many community fish ignore. It also means surface agitation should be gentle enough that food is not blasted away before the panchax can feed. A planted back corner, floating leaves and open front swimming space create a good balance between security and display value.
Males can be bold with each other and may spar over the best surface territory. In a small aquarium, avoid crowding several mature males together. In a larger covered setup, visual breaks from plants, wood and floating cover help reduce chasing. Watch the first week carefully: steady feeding, bright posture and relaxed surface cruising are good signs, while repeated jumping at the lid, hiding or torn fins suggest the layout or tank mate mix needs adjusting.
The safest community plan is to pair Gold Striped Panchax with fish that use different levels of the aquarium. Midwater shoalers and bottom dwellers usually make more sense than other surface specialists. Keep very small fish out of the plan; even if they are not eaten immediately, they may stay stressed under a confident surface predator. Long-finned guppies, tiny rasboras, fry and shrimp-breeding projects are poor matches.
This product can appear with more than one size option. The larger sizes normally show the strongest gold body colour and more confident surface behaviour, while smaller fish may settle more quietly into a planted aquarium. Whichever size you choose, leave the lights low after delivery, avoid chasing the fish with a net once released, and offer a small floating food portion only after it has had time to orient itself.
Aplocheilus lineatus is not an annual killifish that needs peat-drying treatment. In aquarium conditions it can scatter adhesive eggs among fine plants or spawning mops. A separate breeding tank gives the best fry survival because adults and tank mates may eat eggs or newly hatched fry. Breeding is possible for careful keepers, but this listing should mainly be treated as a display and community-surface fish rather than a guaranteed breeding project.
Petra lists this fish as Aplocheilus / lineatus gold with the common name Panchax Lineatus Gold. For customer clarity and scientific accuracy, the listing uses Aplocheilus lineatus as the species name and treats "gold" as the trade colour form. Related killifish to compare include Panchax Lineatus, Blue Panchax Killifish, Singhalese Panchax and Clown Killifish.
When an in-stock size variant is available, livestock is packed for temperature stability and sent with a licensed live-animal courier. Your order is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee, and eligible first-time customers can use WELCOME10 at checkout. After arrival, acclimate slowly, keep lights low for the first few hours and leave the lid secure while the fish settles.
Yes, in the aquarium trade Gold Striped Panchax and Golden Wonder Killifish commonly refer to the gold form of Aplocheilus lineatus.
Yes, with suitable tank mates. Avoid tiny fish, fry and small shrimp because this species is a surface predator and may eat anything that fits in its mouth.
Yes. A tight cover is non-negotiable because panchax are powerful jumpers, especially during feeding, chasing or night-time disturbance.
Choose the size variant shown in stock on the product page. Larger fish usually show stronger colour and presence, while smaller fish settle well into growing community displays.
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