Home · Poeciliidae · Blue-eye
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
Edibility
Not eaten

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.

Where does the Blue-eye live?

The Blue-eye lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

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.

Is the Blue-eye edible?

The Blue-eye is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Normans lampoogje sourced
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
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal 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 Poropanchax

More from the family Poeciliidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →