A gregarious species, the banded killifish is usually found in small shoals (2) (9). This species feeds throughout the water column (3) (6) (9), with its diet including a range of invertebrates such as fly larvae, small crustaceans, molluscs and flying insects (9) (6). It is also known to consume seeds of plants that have fallen into the water (4).
The banded killifish reaches maturity after around one year, and the breeding season varies with location, ranging from April to August (4) (6) (9) (10). This species is reported to spawn at temperatures between 19 and 23 degrees centigrade (9), and each male will establish and defend a territory (6) (10). During the breeding season, the male intensifies in colour, with the lower portion of the body taking on a brilliant iridescent bluish-green colouration (9) (10).
Spawning takes place among vegetation, where the female releases clusters of five to ten eggs. The egg clusters remain suspended below the female's abdomen via an adhesive thread until the male has fertilised them, after which they stick to the surrounding vegetation via individual threads, and remain there until hatching (9) (10).
The banded killifish is known to live for up to four years (9).