Family: Aplocheilidae
Distribution: Epiplatys dageti dageti displays a partiality for small streams, creeks, and ponds in lowland coastal areas in Western Africa. It is most common in Sierra Leon, Ghana, Liberia and the Ivory Coast.
PH: 6.5 pH
Temperature: 21 – 24°C (70 – 75°F)
Hardness: 2-10 dH
Description: Epiplatys dageti dageti can have a one of several different colourations, the most common being a dark or light brown back, lighter brown flanks with green or violet iridescence, and a yellow stomach. Six black vertical bars mark the rear half of the fish bodies, with another black line running across the eyes and one through the mouth. Their fins are often dark green or yellow, although variations include white or black edges.
The eyes of Epiplatys dageti dageti are large and its snout is upturned and pointed, due to the fact they are surface-feeders.
They grow to a size of 7cm. Males often have a more varied colour, longer fins and are larger than their female counterparts. The stripping pattern may disappear or fade on fully-grown females. Males may show aggression towards one another, but there is rarely any physical damage.
It is a generally peaceful fish, at least toward fish of a similar or larger size. Males can become territorial and aggressive around spawning times. The species is rather active and requires a tank of at least 55L.
There are two sub-species of Epiplatys dageti: dageti and monroviae. The easiest way to distinguish between the two is that the former has six bars, whereas monroviae has only 5 bars, also has a red throat.
These are not seasonal killifish.
Diet: Epiplatys dageti dageti prefer live food to flakes or pellets, including insects, fish fry and small crustaceans.
Breeding: When breeding, a separate tank of 38-75L should be set-up, with dark plants along sides and the rear and a variety of rocks or pvc pipes for hiding places in the centre. A covering of floating plants as well as a tightly-sealed lid is recommended, as Epiplatys dageti dageti is a jumper.
Water temperature should be increased to 24-26°C, and one female to multiple males is more than sufficient. The female spawns onto plants or on the substrate but Epiplatys dageti dageti parents notoriously eat their eggs, so they should be removed immediately after being laid. Eggs should be placed in a third tank of soft water at a temperature of 25°C. Once the fry have hatched, they should be fed on paramecia and micro foods, but infusoria should not be given.
Comments: This species is good for an aquarist of any experience level. It does not require frequent water changes or high-tech filtration systems.
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Recommended Compatible Species: They will live happily with Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, Corydoras Catfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platyand most Gourami (such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danio and Pearl Danio) and also many other Killifish make great tank mates.
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