All fish / Nothobranchiidae

Ansorge's panchax

Epiplatys ansorgii

Also known as ansorgi panchax, ansorge's killifish, epiplatys ansorgei, ansorgii killi, gabon panchax, エピプラティス・アンソルギー

A slim, pike-shaped killifish with dark vertical bars across its body and red spots or edging on the fins, with males brighter than females. It cruises just under the surface and suits a quiet, well-planted soft water tank with floating plants.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

5.5 to 7

Smallest tank

45 litres

Keep as

One male with two or three females

Diet

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

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Gabon, Republic of Congo and Cameroon (coastal lowland basins such as the Ogooué)

Breeding

A continuous spawner that lays eggs a few at a time among fine-leaved or floating plants or spawning mops over several weeks. Eggs hatch in about 10 to 14 days and the fry need infusoria and then baby brine shrimp, so breeding is fairly straightforward for keepers with some killifish experience.

Good to know

It is an excellent jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential. Adults may eat very small fry or shrimp, and it rarely appears in shops outside killifish clubs.