Page 175 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

KILLIFISH 173

Epiplatys sexfasciatus Aplocheilus blockii Aplocheilus dayi
Six-Barred Panchax Dwarf Panchax Day’s Green Panchax

ORIGINS West Africa, where its distribution is restricted ORIGINS Asia, occurring in southern India in the vicinity ORIGINS Asia, occurring in southern India in the vicinity
to Cameroon. of Madras; may also occur on Sri Lanka. of Madras; may also occur in Sri Lanka.
SIZE 4 ⁄4 in (11 cm). SIZE 2 in (5 cm). SIZE 2 in (5 cm).
1
DIET Small live foods and prepared diets. DIET Live foods and prepared diets. DIET Small live foods and prepared diets.
WATER Temperature 73 –82°F (23–28°C); soft WATER Temperature 73–79°F (23–26°C); soft WATER Temperature 73–82°F (23–28°C); soft
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0).
TEMPERAMENT Relatively peaceful. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful.
The yellow markings on the bodies of these
killifish, which are the smallest members of their
genus, are more vibrant in the males. Dwarf
Panchax are reasonably tolerant, both of their own
kind and of other nonaggressive fish of a similar
size. As with other plant-spawning killifish, the eggs
Male should be removed from the plants in the breeding
tank each day and hatched separately. The young
Dwarf Panchax will require infusoria at first.
This killifish is named after the six vertical bands
that encircle its body, although these bands tend to
be fairly inconspicuous. There are several localized The flanks of Day’s Green Panchax are bluish and
forms, but in all cases the males are larger and bear dark markings. Females have smaller, more
more colorful than the females, which have more rounded fins than males. These lively killifish, which
rounded fins. A breeding group of a male and two can be kept with other fish of a similar size, tend to
or three females will spawn among vegetation such occupy the upper levels of the aquarium. A cover
as Java Moss (Vesicularia dubyana), or on a spawning for the tank is vital to prevent them from leaping
mop. The eggs hatch within two weeks, and the fry out. They spawn quite readily, and the eggs, which
can be reared largely on brine shrimp. are clearly visible, take 12–14 days to hatch.

Aplocheilus panchax
Blue Panchax

ORIGINS Asia, from southern India eastward through
Thailand and the Malay Peninsula to parts of Indonesia.
SIZE 3 in (7.5 cm).
DIET Small live foods and prepared diets.
WATER Temperature 68–77°F (20–25°C); soft
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0).
TEMPERAMENT Rather aggressive by nature.
The Blue Panchax is one of the most widely
distributed killifish species, with a number of
variants found throughout its extensive range. The
greenish body has a blue color along each
side that often highlights the
outline of the scales. The fins
of the male (the lower of the
two fish shown here) are
more colorful than those of the
female (the upper fish). Blue Panchax
will spawn quite readily among fine-leaved
vegetation in a breeding tank. The eggs are
laid in batches, which can be hatched in small
containers filled with mature water. The young
typically emerge 10–14 days later; the length
of this period is partly influenced by the water
temperature. Partial water changes are very
important for the subsequent well-being of
the fry as the young Blue Panchax grow in size.

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