Home · Aplocheilidae · Golden panchax
Golden panchax (Pachypanchax playfairii) — Aplocheilidae

Golden panchax

Pachypanchax playfairii
Family: Aplocheilidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Golden panchax (Pachypanchax playfairii) is a brackish-water fish of the family Aplocheilidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The golden panchax is a killifish of the family Aplocheilidae, endemic to the Seychelles. The species grows to about 10 cm; males are handsomely golden-yellow to bronze with red spots, females plainer. A feature is that in adult males the scales stand out somewhat, giving the body a rough look. It inhabits small fresh and brackish water streams. As a surface hunter it watches just below the water surface for insects, larvae and small invertebrates. Owing to limited data and a small island range the species is assessed as Data Deficient (DD). It is popular with killifish hobbyists and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Golden panchax?

The Golden panchax has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Golden panchax live?

The Golden panchax lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Golden panchax get?

The Golden panchax grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Golden panchax dangerous to humans?

No, the Golden panchax is harmless to humans.

Is the Golden panchax edible?

The Golden panchax 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
Gouden panchax sourced
English name
Golden panchax verified
Scientific name
Pachypanchax playfairii
Family
Aplocheilidae
Other names
Playfair's panchax verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom 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 Pachypanchax

More from the family Aplocheilidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

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

Get the beta →