Epiplatys annulatus

These small, pretty killie fish are found in coastal lowlands of southern Guinea and Sierra Leone to Northwestern Liberia. There, this specie is found on lowland swamps and slow moving streams or rivers with marginal aquatic plants or vagitation (seriously fish).

Very docile fish. They share their tank with a bunch of endlers here at my place. They enjoy a soft water flow. Females are much smaller and don't have that colorful tail.

They have so many common names in the hobby.. Clown killie, banded panchax, rocket killie etc.

Males are more active than the females. Males flare at other males. They usually occupy top surface level but they don't hesitate taking a swim to the bottom for food. Unlike those annual killies these have a life span of around 4-5 years in captivity.

While breeding, they like to put the eggs in some dense vagitation like java moss. Sudden lowering in pH is said to catalyze/ boost up the breeding process.

They love eating brine shrimps. Don't show interest in bloodworms (at least with me). They also like micro pallets. Females are better than the males at hunting brine shrimps.

Here are a few photos that I've taken of them-

Epiplatys annulatus male

 

Epiplatys annulatus female-

2 males flaring at each other-

In this following photo, I missed the focus from its face. But still I really like this one photo a lot. You can see its movement here-

All photos are copyright under Sumer Tiwari, 2011.