Epiplatys dageti dageti (Crossbanded Pikeling)

28 June 2026

520

The Crossbanded Pikeling, native to West African swamps and streams, is a captivating surface-dwelling killifish. Known for its striking vertical black bars and peaceful yet predatory nature towards tiny insects, this hardy species is highly favored by aquarists looking to add unique character to a planted biotope aquarium.

Epiplatys dageti dageti (Crossbanded Pikeling)

Overview

The Crossbanded Pikeling, scientifically known as Epiplatys dageti dageti and often referred to as the Redchin Panchax, is a fascinating and relatively hardy surface-dwelling killifish. Unlike annual killifish, this species can live for several years in the aquarium. They are highly valued for their unique predatory appearance and interesting surface behaviors, making them an excellent choice for community tanks with appropriately sized tank mates.

Image of crossbanded pikeling epiplatys dageti dageti dnz

Distribution and Habitat

This species is native to the coastal plains of West Africa, specifically found in Liberia, Ivory Coast, and Ghana. They inhabit swamps, slow-moving streams, and the shallow margins of small rivers. These waters are typically heavily vegetated, shaded by overhanging jungle canopies, and rich in tannins from decaying plant matter.

Description of Crossbanded Pikeling

Body shape:

They possess an elongated, somewhat cylindrical, pike-like body with a distinctly flattened dorsal profile, perfectly adapted for a life spent cruising just beneath the water's surface.

Color:

The body has a silvery-blue to olive base coloration, marked prominently by five to six thick, vertical black crossbands. Males often display a vibrant red or orange coloration under their chin and throat.

Barbels:

This species does not possess any barbels.

Snout:

The snout is pointed and features a wide, upturned mouth designed for snatching insects from the water's surface.

Eyes:

They have relatively large, slightly reflective eyes positioned near the top of their head to help them spot prey above the waterline.

Fins:

The dorsal fin is set very far back on the body, aligning with the anal fin. The fins of males are often tinted with yellow or green and feature dark, dramatic edging.

The Tail:

The caudal fin (tail) is spatulate or paddle-shaped. In mature males, the central rays may extend slightly, giving the tail a more pointed or ragged, decorative appearance.

Temper

The Crossbanded Pikeling is generally peaceful towards fish of similar size. However, they are micro-predators by nature; any fry or fish small enough to fit into their surprisingly wide mouths may be viewed as a snack.

Sociality

They are best kept in small groups or harems, ideally consisting of one male to two or three females. Keeping multiple males in a smaller tank can lead to territorial sparring, though serious injuries are rare if enough space and cover are provided.

Activity

They are diurnal and relatively inactive swimmers compared to schooling tetras. They spend the vast majority of their time hovering motionless just below the water's surface, waiting to ambush prey, darting quickly only when food is spotted.

Keeping and Caring for Crossbanded Pikeling

Tank size:

A minimum tank size of 60 cm in length (approximately 15 to 20 gallons) is recommended for a small group, providing ample surface area for them to establish territories.

Water Parameters:

Temperature

They prefer cooler tropical temperatures ranging from 20-24°C (68-75°F).

pH

Slightly acidic to neutral water is ideal, with a pH range of 6.0-7.0.

Hardness

Soft to moderately hard water is preferred, typically between 4-12 dGH.

Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate

Ammonia and Nitrite must always be at 0 ppm. Nitrates should be kept as low as possible, ideally below 20 ppm, through regular water changes.

Lighting

Dim to moderate lighting is best. Bright lights can make them skittish, so floating plants are highly recommended to diffuse the light.

Water flow

Water movement should be kept to an absolute minimum. They originate from stagnant or very slow-moving waters and will struggle against strong filter currents.

Decorations and Plants

A dark substrate with plenty of driftwood, leaf litter, and dense vegetation mimics their natural habitat. Floating plants like Water Lettuce, Salvinia, or Frogbit are essential to make them feel secure. A tight-fitting lid is strictly required, as they are phenomenal jumpers.

Diet

In the wild, they feed primarily on terrestrial insects that fall onto the water. In the aquarium, they are unfussy and will accept high-quality flakes or micro-pellets. However, their diet should be heavily supplemented with live or frozen foods such as fruit flies (Drosophila), mosquito larvae, bloodworms, and Daphnia.

Some Feeding Tips

Because they are surface feeders, ensure that the food you provide floats for at least a short period. Avoid feeding sinking pellets exclusively, as they may ignore food once it drops to the substrate.

Breeding

Breeding the Crossbanded Pikeling is relatively easy. They are continuous plant spawners. Provide a dedicated breeding tank with soft, slightly acidic water and plenty of fine-leaved plants or synthetic spawning mops. Females will deposit a few eggs daily among the vegetation. It is best to remove the eggs or the parents to prevent predation. Eggs typically hatch in 10 to 14 days, and the fry can be fed infusoria or liquid fry food until they are large enough for baby brine shrimp.

Conclusion

The Crossbanded Pikeling is a rewarding and visually striking addition to a peaceful, planted aquarium. Their unique surface-dwelling behavior, distinct tiger-like banding, and ease of care make them an excellent introduction to the world of killifish for both novice and experienced aquarists alike.

Fish info

Care level: Easy - Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Adult size: 5-6 cm
Life expectancy: 3-5 years
Fish type: Killifish
Temperature : 20-24°C
pH: 6.0-7.0
Color Form: Black, Green, Silver, Yellow

Related on Fishs

Leave your comments

Latest on Fishs

Redhump Eartheater (Geophagus steindachneri)

Moderate

South American eartheater cichlid

Geophagus steindachneri is a South American eartheater distinguished by its sloping forehead, browsing mouth and habit of sifting fine substrate for food. Adults become substantial, active cichlids that need generous floor space, clean water and a soft sand bed. The supplied fish are identified as Redhump Eartheaters, but locality and sex cannot be confirmed from the listing alone. They are generally peaceful for their size, though territorial behavior increases during spawning.
Rachow's Splendour Ground Carp (Nothobranchius rachovii)

Moderate - Difficult

Annual killifish

Rachow's splendour ground carp is a brightly marked annual killifish from seasonal freshwater habitats in Mozambique. Males display intense orange, red, blue and white coloration, while females are usually much plainer. It is best maintained in a species-focused aquarium with gentle filtration, a covered top and soft spawning material. The fish has a short natural lifespan, but careful feeding and egg management make it a rewarding specialist species. Aquarium specimens may represent different geographic forms, so locality information is valuable when available.
Red Tiger Oscar Cichlid (Astronotus ocellatus)

Difficult

Large South American cichlid

The Red Tiger Oscar is a selectively bred color form of Astronotus ocellatus, a large South American cichlid known for intelligence, bold feeding behavior, and strong individual personality. The supplied source describes a pair, but sex and true pair-bond status cannot be confirmed from the images alone. Oscars require a spacious, strongly filtered aquarium, careful tankmate selection, and a varied diet. They are rewarding display fish, but their adult size, territorial behavior, waste production, and tendency to rearrange décor make them unsuitable for most community aquariums.
Red Oscar Cichlid (Astronotus ocellatus)

Difficult

Large South American cichlid

The red Oscar is a selectively bred color form of Astronotus ocellatus, a large South American cichlid valued for its intelligence, interactive behavior, and bold appearance. The supplied source describes a pair, while the images show Oscar-like fish with predominantly orange-red bodies. Exact strain and sex cannot be confirmed from the images alone. This is a powerful, messy-eating species that requires a spacious aquarium, strong filtration, and careful planning for compatibility.
Kenyi Cichlid (Maylandia lombardoi)

Moderate - Difficult

Lake Malawi mbuna cichlid

The fish sold as Pseudotropheus lombardoi is now generally treated as Maylandia lombardoi, a Lake Malawi mbuna commonly known as the Kenyi cichlid. It is a robust, territorial algae grazer that needs hard, alkaline water, abundant rockwork and carefully planned tank-mate selection. Adult coloration is strongly sex- and mood-dependent, and the supplied images show a blue to turquoise fish with pale yellow tones rather than proving a particular sex or commercial color form. Identification and the claimed pair status should therefore be confirmed by the seller.
Betta imbellis: Peaceful Fighting Fish Care Guide

Moderate

Osphronemid labyrinth fish

Betta imbellis, commonly called the peaceful fighting fish, is a small labyrinth fish from shallow, slow-moving waters of the Malay Peninsula and nearby parts of Sumatra. It is generally less combative than Betta splendens, although males remain territorial and should not be assumed to be universally peaceful. This guide covers identification, habitat, aquarium care, feeding, tank mates and bubble-nest breeding. The pictured fish appears consistent with a selectively bred, long-finned Betta imbellis, but image-only identification cannot confirm its lineage or locality.
Nicaraguan Cichlid (Hypsophrys nicaraguensis)

Moderate - Difficult

Large Central American cichlid

The Nicaraguan cichlid is a robust Central American species known for its changing gold, orange, blue and black patterning. It is often sold under the older name Cichlasoma nicaraguense, while Hypsophrys nicaraguensis is the generally accepted current placement. This is a territorial fish requiring substantial space, strong filtration and carefully planned tank mates. The supplied listing describes a pair, but sex, compatibility and breeding condition cannot be independently verified from the source image alone.
Pearl Gourami (Trichogaster leerii)

Easy - Moderate

Peaceful freshwater labyrinth fish

The pearl gourami is a peaceful, labyrinth fish recognized by its pearly spots, dark midlateral stripe, and warm orange throat. It originates in vegetated, slow-moving waters of Southeast Asia and is generally suitable for a calm community aquarium. A pair needs stable, warm water, dense cover, gentle flow, and access to atmospheric air at the surface.
Moonlight Gourami (Trichogaster microlepis)

Moderate

Southeast Asian labyrinth fish

The moonlight gourami is a peaceful, laterally compressed labyrinth fish from mainland Southeast Asia. Its silvery body, long thread-like pelvic fins and calm, deliberate swimming make it a distinctive community-aquarium species. Although the supplied source identifies a pair, sex cannot be confirmed reliably from the images alone. Provide a spacious, mature aquarium with gentle flow, dense planting and access to humid air above the water. It is generally hardy once acclimated, but it appreciates stable conditions and should not be housed with fin-nipping or highly aggressive tank mates.
Keyhole Cichlid (Aequidens maronii)

Moderate

South American freshwater cichlid

The fish supplied is consistent with the keyhole cichlid, commonly listed as Aequidens maronii and currently placed by many authorities in the genus Cleithracara. It is a relatively peaceful South American cichlid recognized by its dark keyhole-shaped marking, subdued body coloration and interesting parental care. A pair needs a mature, well-filtered aquarium with soft surroundings, hiding places and stable water quality. Although generally manageable, it becomes territorial while spawning and should not be kept with boisterous or fin-nipping tank mates.
Marble Gourami (Cosby Gourami), Trichopodus trichopterus

Easy - Moderate

Freshwater labyrinth fish

The marble gourami, commonly sold as the Cosby gourami, is a selectively bred color form of the three-spot gourami, Trichopodus trichopterus. It is a labyrinth fish that can breathe atmospheric air and generally occupies the upper and middle levels of a planted aquarium. This species is usually hardy, but adult males may become territorial, particularly when spawning. The supplied images show several color forms, so exact strain identification is not certain; the fish are best treated as marble or related cultivated forms of T. trichopterus.
Marble Gourami, Gold-Orange Form (Trichogaster trichopterus)

Easy - Moderate

Freshwater labyrinth fish

The marble gourami is a selectively bred color form of the three-spot gourami, a labyrinth fish from mainland and island Southeast Asia. The supplied trade label identifies these fish as a gold-orange pair, although commercial names and appearance can vary, so the exact cultivated form is not fully certain. They are generally hardy community fish, but males may become territorial, especially when spawning. Provide warm, stable water, surface access, dense planting, and gentle filtration.
Honey Gourami Gold (Trichogaster chuna)

Easy - Moderate

Small freshwater labyrinth fish

The honey gourami is a small, peaceful labyrinth fish suited to planted freshwater aquariums. The supplied source identifies a gold pair as Colisa chuna, an older name now generally treated as Trichogaster chuna. The photographs show orange-gold individuals, but sex and exact variety cannot be confirmed from the images alone. Provide gentle flow, surface access, dense cover and calm tank mates for best results.
Honey Gourami (Colisa chuna) Care Guide

Easy - Moderate

Small freshwater labyrinth fish

The honey gourami is a small, peaceful labyrinth fish from the slow-moving waters of South Asia. Aquarium specimens may be natural honey-colored fish or selectively bred red and orange forms, like those shown here. The supplied images appear consistent with honey gourami, although sex cannot be confirmed reliably from the photographs. A planted aquarium with gentle flow, surface cover, stable warm water and calm tank mates suits this species well.
Blue Gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus) Care Guide

Easy - Moderate

Labyrinth fish; freshwater anabantoid

The blue gourami is a hardy labyrinth fish suited to a spacious, planted community aquarium. It is the blue color form of the three-spot gourami, a species that can become territorial, particularly when males mature or spawn. Provide gentle filtration, access to warm humid air above the water, hiding places, and a varied diet. The supplied images clearly show blue gouramis, although photographs alone cannot confirm sex or verify that every pictured fish belongs to the same color form.
Giraffe Perch (Nimbochromis venustus) Care Guide

Difficult

Lake Malawi predatory haplochromine cichlid

Nimbochromis venustus is a large predatory haplochromine cichlid from Lake Malawi, known in aquariums as the giraffe perch or giraffe cichlid. Juveniles are comparatively subdued, while adults develop blue facial tones and yellow, olive or gold body coloration with darker markings. The supplied listing describes two 4 cm fish as a pair, but sex cannot be confirmed reliably at that size. This species requires a spacious, rocky aquarium and carefully selected tank mates.