Clown killifish with shrimp

By the Shrimp Tank Hub editorsUpdated Oct 26, 2026Research-based

The clown killifish (Epiplatys annulatus) is a small West African killifish, also sold as the rocket killifish or banded panchax. Seriously Fish says it comes from coastal lowlands of southern Guinea, Sierra Leone and northwestern Liberia, where it lives among marginal and floating vegetation in swamps and slow streams. It has broad dark and yellowish bands, and males have a flame-colored, rocket-shaped tail (Aquarium Co-Op). Unlike annual killifish, it lives a few years and is easy to keep in a planted tank.

Clown killifish at a glance

Will clown killifish eat shrimp?

• Adult shrimp: generally no. Aquarium Co-Op says they don't seem to eat adult cherry, Caridina or ghost shrimp, and The Shrimp Farm says they are too small to eat anything but baby shrimp.
• Shrimplets: yes. Seriously Fish calls the species a micropredator, and Aquarium Co-Op says baby shrimp are fair game. Because the fish hunt mostly at the surface, shrimplets that stay low in moss have a better chance (The Shrimp Farm, our reading).
• The other direction: Seriously Fish warns that shrimp and snails eat killifish eggs, so keep them out of a breeding tank.

If baby shrimp matter more than fish, compare chili rasboras or kubotai rasboras, and see the full cherry shrimp tank mates list.

Matching the water

Seriously Fish lists 68–79 °F, pH 4.0–7.0 and 1–8 dGH, reflecting the warm, soft, acidic water of its rainforest streams. Cherry-type shrimp tolerate 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0 and GH 4–8 (The Shrimp Farm). By our comparison:

• With cherry shrimp: about 72–76 °F, pH 6.5–7.0 and GH 4–6 fits both. Hard, alkaline tap water above pH 7 is outside the fish's listed range.
• With crystal and other Caridina: soft, slightly acidic water suits both well. See crystal red shrimp care and Caridina vs Neocaridina.
• Heater optional: Aquarium Co-Op says they handle 67–80 °F and can live unheated in a warm room, which suits shrimp too. See shrimp tank temperature.

Seriously Fish says the species is sensitive to fluctuating or deteriorating water and should never go into a biologically immature tank. See shrimp water parameters and shrimp tank pH.

Tank size and setup

• Size: Seriously Fish suggests a base of 18 × 12 in, about 11 gallons, for a group. Aquarium Co-Op says they can live in 5 gallons or more, and The Shrimp Farm lists 10+ gallons.
• A tight lid: like most surface fish they jump, so cover every gap (Aquarium Co-Op). See do shrimp need a lid.
• Floating plants and dim light: Seriously Fish says they do best under fairly dim light with floating plants and leaf litter. Floating plants and moss add cover, and leaf litter and grows microfauna, which shrimp graze too. See driftwood and botanicals for shrimp and java moss for shrimp.
• Low flow: they come from slow streams and swamps, so use a gentle sponge filter (Aquarium Co-Op). See shrimp-safe filters.

Group size and sex ratio

Seriously Fish suggests at least 8–10, since a group is bolder and more interesting to watch. Aquarium Co-Op notes males can be a bit territorial with each other and suggests about one male to two or three females. Males are more colorful with longer fins (Seriously Fish). In a small shrimp tank, a trio of one male and two or three females is a reasonable start (our suggestion).

Using all the layers

Clown killifish swim in the top third of the tank (Aquarium Co-Op), while shrimp work the bottom, so the two use different layers. Aquarium Co-Op has kept clown killies with celestial pearl danios, Norman's lampeyes, chili rasboras, pygmy corydoras and snails. See celestial pearl danios with shrimp and pygmy corydoras with shrimp. With a betta, it depends on the individual; some bettas chase other colorful surface fish (Aquarium Co-Op).

Feeding both

They have tiny mouths and feed at the surface, so Aquarium Co-Op suggests small floating foods such as crushed flakes, fry food and freeze-dried Daphnia, plus slow-sinking micro pellets, baby brine shrimp and frozen cyclops. Seriously Fish recommends daily small live or frozen foods. Shrimp clean up what sinks; add sinking shrimp food on the bottom as well. See best shrimp food.

Breeding

Clown killifish lay eggs among floating plant roots, moss or spawning mops, and fry may appear in a mature, well-planted tank without help (Seriously Fish, Aquarium Co-Op). Eggs hatch in about 9–12 days at 75–77 °F (Seriously Fish), or about 1.5 weeks (Aquarium Co-Op). For more fry, use a species-only tank without shrimp or snails, which eat the eggs (Seriously Fish).

How to add clown killifish to a shrimp tank

• Shrimp first. Let the colony grow and settle in moss before the fish arrive (Practical Fishkeeping).
• Close the lid before releasing them.
• Watch shrimplet numbers for a few weeks. If a particular line matters, keep a backup colony in a separate tank.
• Quarantine the fish separately. Practical Fishkeeping says many fish medications are not safe for invertebrates. If fish get sick, ask a fish veterinarian or an experienced store about treatment that won't harm the shrimp. See how to quarantine and is copper toxic to shrimp.

Common mistakes

• Leaving gaps in the lid.
• Buying several males and no females.
• Strong flow or no floating plants.
• Expecting every shrimplet to survive.
• Keeping them in hard, alkaline water above pH 7.

Track it

Log temperature, pH, GH and TDS on the free Water Parameter Log printable so you can keep the tank in the range both species share.

Frequently asked questions

Will clown killifish eat cherry shrimp?

Not adults. Aquarium Co-Op says they do not seem to eat adult cherry, Caridina or ghost shrimp, but baby shrimp are fair game.

Can clown killifish live in a shrimp tank?

Yes, in a display tank with dense moss and floating plants. Expect to lose some shrimplets, and keep a backup colony if you sell shrimp.

What water do clown killifish need?

Seriously Fish lists 68 to 79 °F, pH 4.0 to 7.0 and 1 to 8 dGH. With cherry shrimp, aim for about 72 to 76 °F, pH 6.5 to 7.0 and GH 4 to 6.

Do clown killifish need a lid?

Yes. They live at the surface and jump, so Aquarium Co-Op says to cover every gap.

How many clown killifish should I keep?

Seriously Fish suggests 8 to 10. Aquarium Co-Op recommends about one male for every two or three females.

Do clown killifish need a heater?

Often not. Aquarium Co-Op says they handle 67 to 80 °F and can live unheated in a warm room.

Sources: Seriously Fish, Epiplatys annulatus (clown killifish) (coastal lowlands of southern Guinea, Sierra Leone and northwestern Liberia; also sold as rocket killifish and banded panchax; swamps and slow streams among vegetation; 35 mm SL; 45 × 30 cm base; 68–79 °F, pH 4.0–7.0, 1–8 dGH; dim light, floating plants, leaf litter; sensitive to fluctuating water, never add to an immature tank; micropredator; daily small live or frozen food; peaceful; groups of 8–10; sexing; eggs in moss, floating roots or mops; incubation 9–12 days at 24–25 °C; omit shrimp and snails from the breeding tank because they eat the eggs); Aquarium Co-Op, Care guide for clown killifish (up to 1.4 in, store juveniles about 0.5 in; 5 gallons or larger; tight lid; slow-moving streams and swamps; gentle filter and floating plants; 67–80 °F, can be unheated; lifespan 2–3 years; one male per 2–3 females; tankmates kept; betta depends on the individual; do not seem to eat adult cherry, Caridina or ghost shrimp, baby shrimp fair game, not recommended for selling shrimp; floating and slow-sinking foods; eggs hatch in about 1.5 weeks); The Shrimp Farm, Shrimp tankmates and compatibility (clown killifish up to 1.6 in, 10+ gallons, moderate, does not eat adult shrimp, surface feeder too small for anything but baby shrimp); The Shrimp Farm, Red rili shrimp tank set-up and care (cherry-type Neocaridina: 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0, GH 4–8); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp? (build the shrimp colony first; many fish medications unsafe for invertebrates). The shared water zones and stocking suggestion are our own.