Home · Nothobranchiidae · Many-banded panchax
Many-banded panchax (Epiplatys multifasciatus) — Nothobranchiidae

Many-banded panchax

Epiplatys multifasciatus
LC · Least Concern

The Many-banded panchax (Epiplatys multifasciatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Nothobranchiidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The many-banded panchax is a slender, colourful killifish of the family Nothobranchiidae (African killifishes) reaching about 6 cm. The body has a flat back and an upturned mouth, a build suited to hunting just below the water surface; breeding males bear fine dark cross-bars and red spots. The species comes from Central Africa and lives in slow, densely vegetated water of forest streams, swamps and pools. It hunts insects and small invertebrates that fall on the water. Unlike many related killifishes it is not a true 'annual' fish: it spawns over an extended period and lays sticky eggs among fine plants. For its size and colours it is popular in the aquarium hobby.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Many-banded panchax?

The Many-banded panchax has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Many-banded panchax live?

The Many-banded panchax lives in fresh water and is mostly found around algae or seagrass beds.

How big does the Many-banded panchax get?

The Many-banded panchax grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Many-banded panchax dangerous to humans?

No, the Many-banded panchax is harmless to humans.

Is the Many-banded panchax edible?

The Many-banded panchax is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Veelband-prachtkilli inferred
English name
Many-banded panchax verified
Scientific name
Epiplatys multifasciatus
Family
Nothobranchiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater verified
Substrate
Algae or seagrass meadow verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Small groups verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
Yes verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

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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