Ceylon Panchax (Aplocheilus dayi)

Ceylon Panchax Aplocheilus dayi
Name	Ceylon Panchax
Name Lat.	Aplocheilus dayi
Family	Killifishes
Family lat.	Aplocheilidae
Order	Killifishes & Livebearers
Order lat.	Cyprinodontiformes
Origin	Southeast Asia
Habitat	Streams, ponds
Diet	Carnivore
pH	6.5-7.5
Behavior	♂ territorial
Keeping	Pair, harem
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Substrate spawner
Breeding	Moderately difficult
Life Span	3-5 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	10 cm
Temperature	20-25 °C
Hardness	< 15 °dH
Aquarium	~ 120 l
US Units
Size	3.9"
Temperature	68-77 °F
Hardness	< 267 ppm
Aquarium	~ 30 gal

Distribution and habitat

Ceylon pikelets have a wide range, from the Indian Peninsula to the Indo-Malay Archipelago and Sri Lanka. They live in shallow, stagnant or slow-flowing waters, such as ponds, rice paddies, and streams with dense vegetation, where these lurkers prefer to stay among aquatic plants or under dense overhanging riparian vegetation.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have a dense border planting, with hiding and retreat possibilities (roots) and offer sufficient swimming space. A dark substrate covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves) and slightly dimmed light (floating plants) allow their colors to come out particularly well

No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.

Diet

The diet consists of live food, such as cyclops, daphnia, artemia and red mosquito larvae, which is also well accepted freeze-dried or frozen, supplemented with commercially available frozen special food mixtures. Occasionally, high-quality, high-protein dry food (flakes, granules, micropellets) is also accepted. A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms. Only as much should be fed as is eaten immediately (in a maximum of 10 minutes).

Behaviour and compatibility

They should be kept in pairs or better in a harem, one male with several females. Males are very territorial within the species, so keeping several pairs or harems is only recommended in a larger and richly structured tank. They can be socialized well with other fish, although fish that are too small are considered food.

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature should be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

The males are larger and more colorful than the females.

Reproduction and breeding

They are plant spawners, preferring to spawn their hard-shelled eggs with adhesive filaments on fine-feathered plants. No brood care is practiced. The fry hatch after 12-14 days depending on temperature

Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii, microworms, dust food). In a community tank breeding is hardly possible, because the spawn is easy prey.

Important

These non-annual killifish live in waters that hold water year-round.

In their wide range there are numerous, colorfully different populations. They like to jump, so the aquarium should be well covered

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Werner Winter; Image: petdata

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 3, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF