After the spectacular importation of the new gourami from Manipur (http://www.aquarium-glaser.de/en/colisa-cf-fasciata-_en_1115.html) now we were able to import a beautiful new Panchax from this state in northern India. Currently only one species is accepted formally within this species-group, eg Aplocheilus panchax. This species is distributed from China over great parts of India, Burma, and Indochina (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos), as well as over Indonesia. Of course fish from different origin look very different and so it is more than likely that there do exist a lot of species and not only one. The new Panchax from Manipur also represents such a different form. It is distinguished from typical A. panchax by many red spots on the body, bright orange fins, and a dark band that is shown when the fish feel disturbed.
Initially, Aplocheilus panchax has been described from Bengal. We also have regular importations from there. These fish are characterized by a polychromatism. Within one population are white-finned and orange-finned males. The females all look the same. Red spots on the body are never present in typical A. panchax. Males and females can be distinguished easily by the different shape of the anal fin, which is shorter and rounded in females. Breeding is very easy, A. panchax is an egglaying fish.
The Panchax is an ideal fish for community tanks where it lives near the surface. Tankmates should not be too small, otherwise they are eaten. The Panchax takes readily any usual fishfood, even flakes. The new Panchax from Manipur should not be kept too warm throughout the year, for they originate from mountain regions. Temperature easily falls as low as 15°C there. On the other hand the shallow waters that are preferably inhabited by the species can warm up very quick to 30°C and even more on sunny days.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
| Angaben zum Tier | |
|---|---|
| Herkunft | Indien / India |
| Verfügbare Größe in cm | 5-7 |
