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Epiplatys maeseni — Nothobranchiidae

Epiplatys maeseni

Epiplatys maeseni

The Epiplatys maeseni is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Rainforests of West Africa (Guinea and Liberia).
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Maesen's panchax is a small killifish of the family Nothobranchiidae from the rainforests of West Africa, in Guinea and Liberia. The species reaches only about 5 cm and has a slender, pike-like body with a flattened top of the head and an upturned mouth; males are more colourful than females. It stays just below the water surface in shaded brooks and swamps, where as a surface hunter it watches for insects and small invertebrates that fall onto the water. It is not a seasonal fish. Through its specialised habits it is a typical inhabitant of rainforest water.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Epiplatys maeseni?

The Epiplatys maeseni has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Surface hunter that lurks just below the surface for insects; not a seasonal fish.

Where does the Epiplatys maeseni live?

The Epiplatys maeseni lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Rainforests of West Africa (Guinea and Liberia).

How big does the Epiplatys maeseni get?

The Epiplatys maeseni grows to a maximum of about 5 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Epiplatys maeseni dangerous to humans?

No, the Epiplatys maeseni is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Epiplatys maeseni edible?

The Epiplatys maeseni is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Epiplatys maeseni sourced
Scientific name
Epiplatys maeseni
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
5 sourced
Average length (cm)
3.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Spots
Tail shape
Rounded
Mouth position
Superior (upward)
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Rainforests of West Africa (Guinea and Liberia).
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects and small invertebrates from the surface sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Surface hunter that lurks just below the surface for insects; not a seasonal fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. 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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