Blue panchax (Aplocheilus panchax) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Whitespot
Family
Aplocheilidae (Asian killifishes)
Origin
Widespread in southern and south-east Asia, from Pakistan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia, in fresh and brackish water.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
9 cm
Temperature
20–25°C
pH
6–8
Hardness
Medium, 5–12 dGH
Minimum tank
68 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive

Care

The blue panchax is a hardy, adaptable surface-dwelling killifish that lives in a wide variety of habitats across southern Asia, from clear, weedy ponds and ditches to brackish coastal waters. It spends most of its time just below the surface, watching for insects. Seriously Fish does not have a profile for this species, so the figures here come from FishBase and Wikipedia. Keep one male with two or three females, as males can be quarrelsome with each other. FishBase gives a maximum of about 9 cm total length (most are nearer 5 cm), so it needs a reasonably roomy tank; a base of about 75 × 30 cm (around 68 litres) is a sensible starting point. Give it clear water and dense planting, with floating plants to provide cover at the surface. Like all panchax it jumps well, so a tight-fitting lid is essential. FishBase gives water at 20–25 °C, pH 6–8 and hardness of about 5–12 dGH. It tolerates slightly brackish water. FishBase describes it as difficult to keep in the aquarium despite its popularity, so give it a mature, stable tank and good water quality rather than treating it as a beginner's fish. It is easy to recognise by the shining white spot on top of the head. With such a huge range, fish from different places may differ, so keep fish of known origin separate if you plan to breed them. The species is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is used to control mosquitoes in parts of its range. Sources: FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Aplocheilus-panchax.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluepanchax). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A surface predator that feeds mainly on insects and their larvae in the wild, including mosquito larvae. In the aquarium give a varied diet with plenty of live and frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, bloodworm, brine shrimp and small insects, alongside floating flake or small pellets.

Breeding

A non-annual killifish that breeds all year round in the wild, mostly from November to March according to FishBase. As with other Aplocheilus, the eggs are laid among fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop near the surface and can be collected and hatched in a separate container, since the adults eat eggs and fry. The sources do not give incubation times or detailed spawning conditions for this species.

Compatibility and tank mates

A predator that will eat fry, shrimp and any fish small enough to swallow. Keep it with peaceful fish of similar or larger size that do not compete at the surface, such as larger barbs, rasboras, tetras and catfish. Avoid keeping several males in a small tank.

Last updated 4 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers can only take PayPal or cash on collection. Business sellers can take PayPal or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have 50 sales, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: [email protected].