All fish / Aplocheilidae

Green Panchax

Aplocheilus blockii

Also known as dwarf panchax, blocks panchax, block's panchax, green panchax killifish, dwarf green panchax, aplocheilus blocki, アプロケイルス・ブロッキー, 布氏青鳉

This is the smallest Aplocheilus, a slim, flat-backed surface fish with a greenish-gold body covered in rows of shiny red and metallic spots. It is kept because it is hardy, colourful and easy to look after, and it suits planted tanks with floating plants.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

One male with two or three females

Diet

Carnivore: small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, bloodworm and fruit flies, plus quality flakes

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southern India, Sri Lanka and possibly Pakistan

Breeding

Pairs scatter eggs among fine-leaved or floating plants over several days, and the eggs hatch in about 12 to 14 days. Breeding is straightforward if the eggs or adults are moved, since the parents will eat eggs and fry.

Good to know

It will eat very small fish and fry, and it jumps well, so a tight-fitting lid is essential. Males can squabble with each other in small tanks.