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Singa panchax (Epiplatys singa) — Nothobranchiidae

Singa panchax

Epiplatys singa
LC · Least Concern

The Singa panchax (Epiplatys singa) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 6 cm.

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

Description

The Singa panchax is a small egg-laying killifish of the family Nothobranchiidae reaching about 6 cm. The slender, elongate body has a flattened head and an upturned mouth, a build typical of surface hunters; males are brownish with a golden sheen and narrow dark cross-bars and are more brightly coloured than females. The species lives in slow-flowing and still fresh water in the Congo basin of West and Central Africa, often among bankside vegetation. Just below the surface it lies in wait for insects and other small creatures falling onto the water. Like many related killifishes it is kept in the home aquarium.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Singa panchax?

The Singa panchax has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Singa panchax live?

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

How big does the Singa panchax get?

The Singa panchax grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Singa panchax dangerous to humans?

No, the Singa panchax is harmless to humans.

Is the Singa panchax edible?

The Singa panchax is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Singa-killivis inferred
English name
Singa panchax inferred
Scientific name
Epiplatys singa
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Small groups verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
Yes verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
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 Epiplatys

More from the family Nothobranchiidae

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