Blue panchax / Whitespot (Aplocheilus panchax) care guide

Quick facts

Adult size: 9 cm
Lifespan: can live up to 5 years
Tank zone: top
Temperament: semi-aggressive
Difficulty: beginner

Water parameters

Temperature: 22–28°C
pH: 6.0 to 7.8
Hardness: 4 to 18 dGH

Tank requirements

Minimum volume: 75 L
Minimum length: 60 cm
Flow: low
Lighting: moderate
Substrate: any
Hiding spots: needed
Open swimming room: needed
Lid: required - jumper

Feeding

Diet: carnivore, feeds primarily at the top.

Surface-feeding carnivore. Accepts dried foods readily but coloration and breeding condition improve dramatically on regular meals of frozen bloodworm, daphnia, and brine shrimp. Famous mosquito-larvae predators; useful in outdoor tubs for that reason.

Compatibility

Predatory with surprisingly wide mouth; will eat neon tetras, ember tetras, micro rasboras, and shrimp. Best paired with medium-sized peaceful species that occupy different zones
Strong jumpers; a tight-fitting lid with no gaps is mandatory. Glass lid or canopy preferred over plastic hood
Males can be territorial with each other; keep one male per tank or ensure enough horizontal space and visual barriers for multiple
Tolerates slightly brackish water (1.003-1.005 SG); thrives in soft acidic to neutral conditions
Frequently confused with green panchax (A. blockii) and dwarf panchax (A. parvus); the genus has several similar species. Distinguishing feature is the bright silver-white spot on the top of the head

Habitat

Native to South and Southeast Asia (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Indo-Malaysian archipelago). Found in shallow, still or slow-moving waters: canals, ditches, ponds, lowland wetlands, rice paddies. Some populations move into slightly brackish mangrove creeks. The species' adaptability to a range of water conditions and salinity makes it hardy in captivity. Type specimens described by Hamilton in 1822.

Breeding

Egg scatterer that deposits eggs among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops over several days. Unlike annual killifish, eggs do not require a dry period. Eggs hatch in 12-14 days. Fry are large enough to eat baby brine shrimp immediately. Adults eat their own eggs and fry, so use a separate breeding tank or dense plant cover. One of the easier killifish to breed.

Common problems

Jumpers. The streamlined body and surface-dwelling habit make them exceptional leapers. A tight lid with no gaps is mandatory. Males can be aggressive toward each other in small tanks; keep one male with 2-3 females, or a group of 4+ males to spread aggression. They're micropredators and will eat anything that fits in their mouth, including small shrimp and tiny fish fry.

Bioload

Bioload coefficient: 2.5 (9 cm surface predator; comparable to golden-wonder-killifish (also Aplocheilus, similar habits)).

Bioload coefficients are calibrated against the neon tetra as the anchor (1.0). See the methodology page for the formula and how each value was derived.