Striatum Killifish (Aphyosemion striatum) in a freshwater aquarium
Intermediate carePeacefulTop/Mid dwellerAfrica

Striatum Killifish

Aphyosemion striatum

The Striatum Killifish (Aphyosemion striatum) is a peaceful fish that's a good step up once you have a little experience. Give it a tank of at least 40 litres (11 US gallons), water held at 68-79°F, and a pH of 6-7.5.

Care levelIntermediate
TemperamentPeaceful
Min tank size10.6 US gal
pH range6-7.5
Temperature68-79°F
Max size2.2 in (5.5 cm)
Captive lifespan2-4 years
SchoolingNo
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Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.

Natural distribution

Africa

  • Africa

Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.

Striatum Killifish Tank Setup

A tank of at least 40 litres (11 US gallons) at 68-79°F and pH 6-7.5 suits them well. Livebearers breed quickly, so plan for the fry and keep an eye on your male-to-female ratio.

What Do Striatum Killifish Eat?

They have small mouths, so stick to small foods: crushed flake, fine granules, and now and then a treat of frozen or live foods such as daphnia or baby brine shrimp. Anything too large simply gets ignored.

Striatum Killifish Tank Mates

Red-striped killifish from Gabon. Peaceful; ideal for planted nano tanks. Live food preferred. The Striatum Killifish is peaceful, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. Good matches come down to the whole stocking list working together - temperature, tank size, and temperament - not any single label. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.

Are Striatum Killifish Good for Beginners?

Doable once you test water regularly and catch problems before fish look sick. If this is your first tank, pick something more forgiving and come back later.

Striatum Killifish - frequently asked questions

What size tank do Striatum Killifish need?

Striatum Killifish need a tank of at least 40 litres (11 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.

What water parameters do Striatum Killifish need?

Keep them at 68-79°F with a pH of 6-7.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.

What do Striatum Killifish eat?

Striatum Killifish have small mouths, so they need small foods. Crushed flake and fine granules form the staple, with the occasional treat of frozen or live foods such as daphnia or baby brine shrimp. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.

Are Striatum Killifish good for beginners?

Striatum Killifish are best for keepers with a little experience. They are manageable once you test water regularly and catch problems early; a complete beginner may prefer something more forgiving first.

Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.

Fish to avoid mixing with Striatum Killifish

These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.

  • OscarPredator - Oscar will eat or injure smaller tank mates
  • Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
  • Betta (Male)Predator - Betta (Male) will eat or injure smaller tank mates