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Banded Panchax
Epiplatys fasciolatus
📍 West Africa
The Banded Panchax is a small, colorful killifish native to West Africa, known for its distinctive vertical bands and vibrant coloration. These hardy fish are excellent for planted nano aquariums and community setups with similarly-sized peaceful species. They are surface feeders with engaging personalities and make excellent additions to smaller aquascapes.
Care Guide
Diet
Banded Panchax are carnivorous and prefer small live foods such as daphnia, mosquito larvae, and micro worms. They will accept high-quality micro pellets and frozen foods like bloodworms. Feed small amounts 1-2 times daily, only what they can consume in a few minutes.
Behavior
These killifish are peaceful, surface-dwelling fish that spend most of their time near the water's surface hunting for food. They are active and curious, displaying interesting behaviors and interactions with tank mates. They are best kept singly or in pairs in smaller tanks, as males can be territorial.
Breeding
Banded Panchax are relatively easy to breed in well-planted tanks with soft, slightly acidic water. Males will display vibrant colors and perform courtship dances. Eggs are typically laid on plants or spawning mops, and fry are small and require infusoria or liquid fry food initially.
Tank Mates
Similar size and peaceful temperament; avoid very small tetras
Comparable size and water parameter requirements
Tiny, peaceful rasbora that shares similar habitat preferences
Peaceful bottom dweller that won't compete for food
Large enough to avoid predation; helps with algae control
Provides cover and spawning substrate for breeding
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, lethargy, rapid breathing, rubbing against objects
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30 C (82-86 F), perform daily water changes, use aquarium salt at recommended dose, or treat with copper-free ich medication
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, remove decaying matter, treat with antibacterial medication if severe, ensure adequate filtration
Velvet Disease (Oodinium pilularis)
Gold or rust-colored dust on body, rapid breathing, loss of appetite, scratching behavior
Increase aeration, raise temperature to 28-30 C (82-86 F), perform daily water changes, treat with copper-based medication or salt baths
Dropsy
Swollen abdomen, scales standing out like pinecone, lethargy, loss of appetite
Isolate affected fish, improve water quality, feed high-quality foods, treat with antibiotics if bacterial; prognosis is often poor
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Carnivore - small live foods and high-quality micro pellets
- lifespan
- 2-3 years
- max size
- 4 cm (1.5 in)
- tank size
- 10 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0-7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 4-8 dGH
- temperature
- 68–75°F (20–24°C)