Think Fish - The Tropical Fish Keeping Resource

Fish Database: Lampeye Panchax - Micropanchax macrophthalmus

Aquarium requirements

Aquarium suitability: 3/5
Sociability rating: 9/10
Area of tank: all
Aquarium water conditions: 6.5-8.5, vs,s,m,h
Temperature: 22 - 26C
Feeding: small frozen or live foods, crushed flake
Minimum tank size: 45cm
Min / Max number in tank: Min 5

Fish fact file

Family: Poeciliidae (Poeciliids)
Synonyms: Aplocheilichthys macrophthalmus, Poropanchax luxophthalmus
Other common names: Emerald Green Lampeye, Red Lampeye, Normans Lampeye
Origin: Africa
Natural habitat: Small rivers and streams, vegetated areas
Size: 4cm
Behavior: Peaceful, shoaling
Breeding: Egg layer - eggs are attached to plant leaves.
Natural water conditions: pH 6-8, soft to medium
Sexing: Males have brighter blue areas and red dots on the tail, females have shorter, rounded fins.

Fish code No.2320

Recently Viewed fish: Lampeye Panchax

Lampeye Panchax's are a very small shoaling species ideally suited to heavily planted aquariums or planted nano-tanks with other small peaceful inhabitants. There is much confusion over the name of these fish, their grouping, and similar species. Although a member of the Poeciliidae family, which includes livebearing Guppies and Mollies, the Lampeye is an egg laying species, and is usually referred to as a killifish. There are in fact several species of fish from different families which are given the 'Panchax' name, and the same is true for the 'Lampeye' name. Combinations of 'Lampeye' and 'Panchax' therefore often turn up for a few entirely different fish!
These little fish are very sensitive to adverse water conditions, especially ammonia and nitrites, so are not recommended for new aquariums or novice fish keepers. Having said this, they will often thrive in a well kept heavily planted tank with good feeding. Small frozen foods like cyclops or daphnia should make up part of their diet. Whilst their natural environment is soft water, they will adapt to a wide range of hardness and/or pH conditions providing the general chemistry is stable. The fish are peaceful and shoaling, and need an aquarium with lots of vegetation and a little flow. Because of their small size, they are not suited to typical communities with larger fish and are best kept with other small species.

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