Order Cyprinodontiformes
Superfamily Cyprinodontoidae
Family Nothobranchiidae
Genus Callopanchax
Inhabit the west coast of Africa, from Ghana west to Senegal. Most species live in small rainforest streams, and only a few species in savanna waters. Large species live in water bodies that dry up during the dry season, i.e., from the beginning of the rainy season to the dry season (about 6 months). The eggs spawned in the substrate undergo diapause, and fry hatch after the rains begin. The body is elongated, close to pike-like in shape, the front part is almost cylindrical and flattened laterally towards the caudal peduncle. The dorsal and anal fins are set back on the posterior half of the body and located opposite each other.
The fish prefer shady places, staying in the lower and middle water layers. Males are quite aggressive towards each other, but in a large aquarium with many fish, their attention is dispersed and aggressiveness decreases. It is best to keep them in a species aquarium with 1 male and several females, or in a large aquarium with other killifish of similar size, provided that the species occupy different water layers. The aquarium should have occasional thickets and floating plants providing shade and shelter. The mucous membrane of these fish is very thin, and the addition of tannin via peat or oak leaves is necessary. Feeding should be rich in protein. Sexual maturity is reached after 6 months of life. pH <7.
— Callopanchax occidentalis [Clausen, 1966] — Golden Pheasant Panchax, Red Aphyosemion. Code: OCC. Synonym: Aphyosemion occidentale, Fundulopanchax, Roloffia occidentalis. (Eng.: Golden Pheasant Panchax, Red Aphyosemion). West Africa, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea – forest and savanna waters. Seasonal fish. Large and strong fish. 10 cm. The body is elongated, the front part is almost cylindrical and flattened laterally towards the caudal peduncle. The dorsal and anal fins are set back on the posterior half of the body and located opposite each other. Coloration varies depending on the habitat. In the male, the back is shiny red, gill covers are blue with 2-3 cherry stripes of carmine-red dots and spots. The throat is bright blue, becoming very dark during the breeding season.
Along the flank runs an irregular golden-yellow longitudinal stripe bordered with carmine-red strokes. The caudal peduncle and the lower part of the body are shiny dark to greenish-blue with carmine-red spots. The dorsal fin is blood-red at the base, violet above, with a light margin cut by a horizontal red line. The anal fin is violet with red spots and a light margin. The caudal fin is light blue on top, often yellowish-white below with dark violet spots. The main coloration of the female is beige with red dots, fins are almost colorless. The caudal fin in females is rounded.
Aggressive species. Males are aggressive towards each other and towards other fish species, and can kill each other during fights. It is best to keep them in a species aquarium with 1 male and several females. Provide shelters, first of all, females should find hiding places. The aquarium should have occasional thickets and floating plants providing shade and shelter. The aquarist should remember that males of C. occidentalis are always transported individually; males of other species or females should not be placed with them.
Lighting is diffused. Under bright light, the golden pheasant loses its color. Substrate of river gravel or sand, with an additional layer of peat on top. Weekly partial water changes without changing parameters are mandatory. It is advisable to add marine or table salt to the water (1 teaspoon per 10 liters). A typical representative of fish that spawn on the bottom in peat. Breeding the golden pheasant is quite difficult. T 20-22°С, dH 2-10°, pH 5.5-6.8.
— Callopanchax toddi [Clausen, 1966] — Roloffia toddi. Code: TOD. Synonym: Aphyosemion, Fundulopanchax, Roloffia toddi. Africa, Sierra Leone – in small standing water bodies. 8 cm. Typical seasonal fish. The upper third is beige-golden, the rest of the body is bluish with 8-9 very wide, almost merging transverse lilac stripes. Fins with a light fringed border, dorsal fin yellow-green with cherry trim, anal fin blue with a burgundy border, lower tail lobe yellow. Throat blue, gill covers with a golden-burgundy ocellus.
The coloration of males is more luxurious than that of females. Can be kept in a species or community aquarium with a dark, soft substrate. In small aquariums, they become aggressive and chase each other; with shelters available, they are relatively peaceful. Dense vegetation along the side and back walls, driftwood as shelters. Several floating plants to diffuse the light. Bottom spawning. Temperature 22-26°С; pH 6.0-7.0; dH 4-12°.
Epiplatys barmoiensis, Epiplatys bifasciatus, Epiplatys lamottei.
Aphyosemion splendopleure, striatum, volcanum, wachtersi. 
