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Golden pheasant panchax (Callopanchax occidentalis) — Nothobranchiidae

Golden pheasant panchax

Callopanchax occidentalis
LC · Least Concern

The Golden pheasant panchax (Callopanchax occidentalis) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The golden pheasant killifish is a killifish (Nothobranchiidae) from the coastal lowlands of West Africa. The species grows to about 9 cm; males are beautifully coloured with blue, red and orange tints. It occurs in pools, swamps and swampy parts of brooks in the rainforest and humid forested savanna. It is a seasonal killifish: the parents die in the dry season, and the eggs left in the mud hatch only when the rains refill the pools. It hunts insects and small invertebrates. The species is popular with hobbyists and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Golden pheasant panchax?

The Golden pheasant panchax has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Golden pheasant panchax live?

The Golden pheasant panchax lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Golden pheasant panchax get?

The Golden pheasant panchax grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Golden pheasant panchax dangerous to humans?

No, the Golden pheasant panchax is harmless to humans.

Is the Golden pheasant panchax edible?

The Golden pheasant panchax is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
West-Afrikaanse prachtkilli sourced
English name
Golden pheasant panchax verified
Scientific name
Callopanchax occidentalis
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Spots 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
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 Callopanchax

More from the family Nothobranchiidae

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