Hypsolebias trifasciatus
Hypsolebias trifasciatus
Hypsolebias trifasciatus exhibits vibrant yellow and blue coloration with striking black horizontal stripes along its elongated body.
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About the Hypsolebias trifasciatus
Tiny but flashy, this annual killi lights up with a blue body and bold yellow-and-black striping on the anal fin. It comes from shallow seasonal pools in northeastern Brazil, so it likes soft, warm water and will bury eggs in a peat or mud-like substrate. Males have big attitudes for such small fish, so plan for line-of-sight breaks or keep a single pair.
Quick Facts
Size
1.3 inches
Temperament
Aggressive
Difficulty
Advanced
Min Tank Size
10 gallons
Lifespan
8-14 months
Origin
South America
Diet
Carnivore - live and frozen foods like daphnia, baby brine shrimp, cyclops, bloodworms
Water Parameters
23-28°C
6-7
1-4 dGH
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This species needs 23-28°C in a 10 gallon tank. Use our heater calculator to find the right wattage.
Calculate heater sizeCare Notes
- Species-only setup is recommended. Keep one male with 2–3 females and provide visual barriers and a spawning medium (peat or similar), as males can be very aggressive toward rivals and persistent with females.
- Annual killifish: collect eggs from the spawning medium and incubate damp (e.g., in peat) for ~2 months at ~25 °C before wetting to hatch; adults are short-lived (roughly one year).
- Provide soft, slightly acidic water (approx. pH 6.0–7.0) with gentle filtration and a tight-fitting cover, as Hypsolebias are capable jumpers.
Compatibility
Good Tankmates
- A single male with two or more females of the same species in a species-only setup, with ample cover and spawning medium.
Avoid
- Other male Hypsolebias in small aquaria; severe territorial aggression can result in injuries or mortality.
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