Home · Aplocheilidae · Blue eye
Blue eye (Aplocheilus panchax) — Aplocheilidae

Blue eye

Aplocheilus panchax
Family: Aplocheilidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue eye (Aplocheilus panchax) is a brackish-water fish of the family Aplocheilidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The blue panchax is a small killifish of the family Aplocheilidae from South and Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 9 cm and has an elongate body with a flattened back, an upturned mouth and a conspicuous shining, blue-white spot on top of the head. It inhabits lowland wetlands, estuaries, rice fields, ditches and peat waters and tolerates brackish water. As a surface hunter it watches just below the water surface for insects, larvae and small zooplankton; it also eats mosquito larvae, making it useful in mosquito control. The species is a popular, hardy aquarium fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue eye?

The Blue eye has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Blue eye live?

The Blue eye lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Blue eye get?

The Blue eye grows to a maximum of about 9 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Blue eye dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue eye is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue eye edible?

The Blue eye is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwoog-panchax sourced
English name
Blue eye verified
Scientific name
Aplocheilus panchax
Family
Aplocheilidae
Other names
Blue panchax; Estuarine ricefish; Java medaka verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Average length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Aplocheilus

More from the family Aplocheilidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →