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Blue-eye (Poropanchax normani) — Poeciliidae

Blue-eye

Poropanchax normani
Family: Poeciliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue-eye (Poropanchax normani) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
West and Central Africa, in vegetated parts of small rivers, streams and swamps in the savannah.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Poropanchax normani, Norman's lampeye, is a very small killifish (family Procatopodidae) of West and Central Africa. The species reaches only about 4.5 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a striking iridescent blue upper part of the eye, the so-called lampeye. It lives in the savanna in or near vegetated parts of small rivers, brooks and swamps. Unlike many killifish it is not a seasonal species, and it is easy to keep in an aquarium. Its diet consists of small zooplankton and insect larvae. The species lives in schools and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue-eye?

The Blue-eye has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Iridescent blue upper part of the eye (lampeye); small shoaling fish, easy in the aquarium.

Where does the Blue-eye live?

The Blue-eye lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. West and Central Africa, in vegetated parts of small rivers, streams and swamps in the savannah.

How big does the Blue-eye get?

The Blue-eye grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Blue-eye dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue-eye is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue-eye edible?

The Blue-eye is not usually eaten.

More photos

Blue-eye (Poropanchax normani) — Poeciliidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Gina Walsh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue-eye (Poropanchax normani) — Poeciliidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Rob Palmer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Blue-eye (Poropanchax normani) — Poeciliidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Marc Cisa (CC0)
Blue-eye (Poropanchax normani) — Poeciliidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Gina Walsh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blue-eye verified
Scientific name
Poropanchax normani
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Norman's lampeye verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) 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
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
West and Central Africa, in vegetated parts of small rivers, streams and swamps in the savannah. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and insect larvae sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Iridescent blue upper part of the eye (lampeye); small shoaling fish, easy in the aquarium. 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 Poropanchax

More from the family Poeciliidae

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