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Firehead panchax (Epiplatys phoeniceps) — Nothobranchiidae

Firehead panchax

Epiplatys phoeniceps

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

Length
6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Congo

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Description

The Firehead panchax is a panchax or West African killifish (Nothobranchiidae) from shallow, slow-flowing fresh water of West Africa. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, elongate body with a flat head and an upturned mouth; males are handsomely coloured with glittering scales and colourful fins. As a surface hunter it hovers motionless just below the waterline and darts out at insects and larvae falling on the water. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Firehead panchax?

The Firehead panchax has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Firehead panchax live?

The Firehead panchax lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Africa: Congo

How big does the Firehead panchax get?

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

Is the Firehead panchax dangerous to humans?

No, the Firehead panchax is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
Firehead panchax sourced
Scientific name
Epiplatys phoeniceps
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Africa: Congo sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

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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