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Green panchax (Aplocheilus blockii) — Aplocheilidae

Green panchax

Aplocheilus blockii
Family: Aplocheilidae
LC · Least Concern

The Green panchax (Aplocheilus blockii) is a brackish-water fish of the family Aplocheilidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southern India and Sri Lanka
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The green panchax is a small killifish from fresh and slightly brackish water of southern India and Sri Lanka. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, shiny green to golden-green body, glittering spots and large, high-set eyes. As a surface hunter it swims just below the water surface of pools, ditches and rice fields and seizes insects, mosquito larvae and small zooplankton. The fish is popular in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Green panchax?

The Green panchax has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly green and shows a spots pattern. Glossy green body and high-set eyes; surface-hunting small killifish

Where does the Green panchax live?

The Green panchax lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Southern India and Sri Lanka

How big does the Green panchax get?

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

Is the Green panchax dangerous to humans?

No, the Green 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.

Is the Green panchax edible?

The Green panchax is not usually eaten.

More photos

Green panchax (Aplocheilus blockii) — Aplocheilidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) sumanjumani, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Green panchax (Aplocheilus blockii) — Aplocheilidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) mavoottan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Green panchax (Aplocheilus blockii) — Aplocheilidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Benoît Segerer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Green panchax (Aplocheilus blockii) — Aplocheilidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Aniruddha Singhamahapatra, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
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All data

Identification

English name
Green panchax verified
Scientific name
Aplocheilus blockii
Family
Aplocheilidae
Other names
Green panchax verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Southern India and Sri Lanka verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects, midge larvae and small zooplankton inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Surface-hunting small killifish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Glossy green body and high-set eyes; surface-hunting small 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
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 Aplocheilus

Blue eye (Aplocheilus panchax) — Aplocheilidae
Blue eye (Aplocheilus panchax)
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 Malabar killie (Aplocheilus lineatus) — Aplocheilidae
Malabar killie
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 Kirchmayer's panchax (Aplocheilus kirchmayeri) — Aplocheilidae
Kirchmayer's panchax
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More from the family Aplocheilidae

Blue eye (Aplocheilus panchax) — Aplocheilidae
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 Ceylon killifish (Aplocheilus dayi) — Aplocheilidae
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Kirchmayer's panchax
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Powder-blue panchax
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