Photo: Vengolis, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Blue panchax
Aplocheilus panchax
7.5 cm
Adult size
110 L
Minimum volume
4
Minimum group
5 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Aplocheilus
- Diet
- carnivore
- Social life
- small group
In the wild
Overview
Described in 1822 by Hamilton, this small killi is one of the most widespread Aplocheilidae in Asia. It lives just below the surface, where it hunts insects.
- Scientific name
- Aplocheilus panchax (Hamilton, 1822)
- Classification
- Cyprinodontiformes › Aplocheilidae
- IUCN Red List
- Least concern (LC)
Natural habitat
South and Southeast Asia: from Pakistan to India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and the Indo-Malay archipelago
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
It occupies a wide variety of lowland habitats: ponds, ditches, canals, reservoirs and peat swamps, down to estuaries and mangrove creeks, preferably in clear water rich in rooted or floating plants. It even tolerates very salty water.
Behaviour
A surface predator, it can swallow very small fish but stays peaceful with species of similar size. It feeds mainly on insects: live or frozen prey, topped up with floating foods.