Home · Nothobranchiidae · Epiplatys maeseni
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
Edibility
Not eaten

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.

Where does the Epiplatys maeseni live?

The Epiplatys maeseni lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

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.

Is the Epiplatys maeseni edible?

The Epiplatys maeseni is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Maesens panchax sourced
English name
Epiplatys maeseni sourced
Scientific name
Epiplatys maeseni
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
5.0 sourced
Average length (cm)
3.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots 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
Open water sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No 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 Epiplatys

More from the family Nothobranchiidae

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