Aplocheilus blockii Care Guide
Aplocheilus blockii, the dwarf panchax, is a small Indian and Sri Lankan surface killifish suited to peaceful nano aquaria.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Aplocheilus blockii, the dwarf or green panchax, is a small surface killifish of the family Aplocheilidae. FishBase records it at up to 6.0 cm total length, notes it is not a seasonal killifish, and lists it among the smaller Aplocheilus species.
Taxonomy
- Family: Aplocheilidae
- Genus: Aplocheilus
- Scientific name: Aplocheilus blockii
Habitat
FishBase reports the species from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, where it occupies stationary, sheltered river waters and still coastal areas, often brackish zones with surface vegetation such as mangrove swamps and rice fields.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L (about 11 gal)
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 4-12 °dGH
- Lifespan: 3-4 years
Diet
A carnivore. FishBase notes it feeds on insects, larvae and fish fry, and is valued for mosquito control. In aquaria it takes small live and frozen foods.
Compatibility
A peaceful nano-friendly species. FishBase notes it swims slowly or remains stationary in small groups near the surface. It suits calm tankmates such as small tetras and rasboras; a tight cover is recommended.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2010), per FishBase.
Dwarf Panchax Breeding Guide
Overview
Aplocheilus blockii is the smallest member of the genus Aplocheilus (family Aplocheilidae), a surface killifish distributed across Sri Lanka and southern India. AquaInfo gives an adult size of about 5 cm and a captive lifespan of three to five years, and recommends keeping it as pairs or one male with several females.
Sexing
AquaInfo describes males as iridescent yellow-green to golden yellow with reddish to golden shiny dots, while females show a dirty yellow to greenish ground colour with a dark longitudinal band and narrow transverse stripes on the caudal peduncle.
Conditioning
AquaInfo recommends a varied diet of live foods such as mosquito larvae, aquatic woodlice, Artemia, Daphnia and chironomid larvae for conditioning. The species is carnivorous and accepts dried food but requires regular live or frozen offerings.
Breeding Setup
AquaInfo notes the fish deposit eggs in woolly spawning mops, fine-leaved plants, mosses such as Java moss or filamentous algae. AquaInfo gives a breeding temperature of 24-27 C, with about 28 C stimulating reproduction, moderately hard and alkaline water and pH in the 6.0-8.0 range.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Eggs are laid among the mops or plants and have a firm shell, so AquaInfo notes they can be removed after laying to a rearing aquarium, away from the adults.
Egg & Fry Care
AquaInfo reports an incubation period of about 10-15 days. First foods are infusoria, advancing to Artemia nauplii and microworms; the young must be raised separately as the parents may eat their own offspring.
Common Challenges
Parents readily eat eggs and fry, so removing the spawning medium to a separate tank is important. As a surface fish it is a capable jumper, so a tight cover is needed.