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Banded panchax (Epiplatys infrafasciatus) — Nothobranchiidae

Banded panchax

Epiplatys infrafasciatus
LC · Least Concern

The Banded panchax (Epiplatys infrafasciatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
West and Central Africa; streams, pools and swamps of coastal lowlands and rainforest.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The banded panchax is a killifish of the family Nothobranchiidae from the coastal lowlands and rainforest of West and Central Africa. The species grows to about 7 cm and has an elongate body with a flattened back and an upturned mouth; males show dark crossbars and colourful fins. It inhabits quiet parts of brooks, pools, swamps and small rivers. Unlike the true seasonal killifishes this is not a seasonal species of drying pools. As a surface hunter it watches for insects and small invertebrates at the water surface. The species is popular with killifish hobbyists and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded panchax?

The Banded panchax has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Flattened back and superior mouth; surface hunter, not a seasonal killifish.

Where does the Banded panchax live?

The Banded panchax lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. West and Central Africa; streams, pools and swamps of coastal lowlands and rainforest.

How big does the Banded panchax get?

The Banded panchax grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Banded panchax dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded panchax is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Banded panchax edible?

The Banded panchax is not usually eaten.

More photos

Banded panchax (Epiplatys infrafasciatus) — Nothobranchiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) joe_cutler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Banded panchax sourced
Scientific name
Epiplatys infrafasciatus
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
7 sourced
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars 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
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
West and Central Africa; streams, pools and swamps of coastal lowlands and rainforest. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects and small invertebrates at the water surface sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Flattened back and superior mouth; surface hunter, not a seasonal killifish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Epiplatys

More from the family Nothobranchiidae

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