Redchin panchax (Epiplatys dageti) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Redchin panchax, Daget's panchax, Black-lipped panchax, Orange-throated panchax, Firemouth killifish
Family
Nothobranchiidae (African killifishes)
Origin
Coastal West Africa from around Monrovia in Liberia through southern Côte d'Ivoire to south-west Ghana, in coastal savannah swamps and quiet stretches of lowland streams.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
4.5 cm
Temperature
20–30°C
pH
5–7
Hardness
Soft to medium, 1–12 dGH
Minimum tank
54 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful

Care

The red-chinned panchax has been kept since the red-throated form was first exported from Monrovia in 1908, and is still one of the best killifish for newcomers: hardy, peaceful and easy to breed. It is a surface fish that hangs just below the water line, picking off food that lands there. It is fairly sociable, so keep a group of six or more, with more females than males. A tank with a base of 60 × 30 cm (about 54 litres) is a sensible minimum. A planted set-up with a sandy floor, driftwood, a few dried leaves and floating plants suits it well, and the floating cover helps it feel secure. Fit a tight lid, as it can jump. It tolerates a wide range of conditions: 20–30 °C, pH 5–7 and soft to moderately hard water. Cooler water in the low 20s suits it well for everyday keeping. Two forms are traded. Fish sold as Epiplatys dageti monroviae have an orange-red throat in males and five dark bars on the flanks, while E. dageti dageti lacks the red throat and has six bars. These subspecies names are not currently treated as valid, but they are still widely used, and fish are often sold with locality names such as Monrovia, Harbel, Robertsport, Tabou or Aboisso. Keep the forms and populations separate. Males are more colourful than females, grow larger and develop extended rays in the lower part of the tail. Seriously Fish describes the aquarium stock as a hardy strain. FishBase lists the species as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Sources: Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/epiplatys-dageti-dageti/); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Epiplatys-dageti.html). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A predator of small insects and other invertebrates in the wild. It will take dried foods, but offer small live or frozen foods every day, such as baby brine shrimp, Daphnia, Moina, grindal worms and small insects like fruit flies.

Breeding

A non-annual plant spawner and easy to breed. Eggs are laid a few at a time among mosses, floating-plant roots or a spawning mop. In a mature, well-planted tank some fry survive alongside the parents; for larger numbers, collect the eggs and hatch them separately. Incubation takes about 11–14 days at 21 °C. Temperature affects the sex ratio: 21–23 °C gives a fairly even mix, while warmer water produces more males. Fry find natural micro-organisms in a mature planted tank, but in a bare rearing tank they need rotifers or infusoria first, then baby brine shrimp.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful and a good choice for a well-chosen community tank. Suitable companions include small to medium tetras and other characins, peaceful cyprinids such as rasboras, labyrinth fish, Corydoras, small suckermouth catfish and peaceful dwarf cichlids. It may eat very small fry and newborn shrimp, and should not be kept with fish large enough to swallow it.

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

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