TankBud

Guinean panchax

Epiplatys guineensis

Also known as Guineensis killi, Guinean killi

FreshwaterFish

Guinean panchax (Epiplatys guineensis)

Care at a glance

Temperature
68–77°F
20–25°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
2.8 in
7 cm
Minimum tank
14 gal
54 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Top
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg depositor · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Nothobranchiidae
Origin
Upper Guinea forests

Overview

The Guinean panchax is a surface-dwelling pike killifish for a calm tank. It is a fish for the intermediate keeper.

Did you know

The Guinean panchax's genus name, Epiplatys, comes from Greek roots meaning roughly flat on top. It describes the straight, level back and flattened head that let a surface-hunting panchax lie almost unseen just beneath the film.

Caring for the Guinean panchax

Keep the Guinean panchax as a pair or a small harem in 14 gal (54 L) or more. It hangs under the surface film watching for prey, so give it floating plants, overhanging cover and open surface space. Fit a tight lid, since it jumps.

Keep the water soft and acidic to neutral, at 68 to 77°F (20 to 25°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. A dark base and gentle flow keep the surface quiet where it hunts.

Feed floating and live foods such as mosquito larvae, small crickets, wingless fruit flies, daphnia and frozen bloodworm. The Guinean panchax is mostly peaceful toward fish it cannot swallow, but it will pick off small tank mates. Avoid tiny surface fish and shrimp fry, and pair it with calm fish of similar or larger size.

It is a non-annual plant spawner. Pairs lay eggs on fine plants or spawning mops over many days, and the eggs develop in water. Breeding it is a moderate challenge.

Good to know

The Guinean panchax, Epiplatys guineensis, belongs to the family Nothobranchiidae. It is a barred hunter of the surface film.

In the wild

The Guinean panchax patrols the surface of shaded forest streams in the Upper Guinea region of West Africa, including Guinea and Liberia. The water there is soft and slow beneath the canopy.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Guinean panchax is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the top. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Guinean panchax need?

A Guinean panchax needs at least 14 gal (54 L). It spends most of its time in the top.

What temperature and pH does a Guinean panchax need?

A Guinean panchax is comfortable at 68–77°F (20–25°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a Guinean panchax eat?

A Guinean panchax eats floating and live foods, such as mosquito larvae, small crickets, wingless fruit flies, daphnia and frozen bloodworm.

How big does a Guinean panchax get?

An adult Guinean panchax reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).

How does a Guinean panchax breed?

Guinean panchax pairs lay their eggs on fine plants or spawning mops over many days. The eggs develop in water, and breeding is moderately difficult.

Related species