Order Cyprinodontiformes
Superfamily Cyprinodontoidae
Family Nothobranchiidae
Continued…
Genus Nimbapanchax
— Nimbapanchax petersi [Sauvage, 1882]. Code: PET. Synonym: Aphyosemion, Archiaphyosemion, Roloffia petersi. South and southwest of Ghana, western Togo, southeast of Liberia. 6 cm. T 22-26°C.
Genus Pseudepiplatys
— Pseudepiplatys annulatus [Boulenger, 1915] — Clown Panchax, Banded Panchax, Rocket Killifish. Code: ANN. Synonym: Epiplatys, Aplocheilus, Panchax annulatus. Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia – small water bodies with clean running water. Male 3-5 cm, females 2-3 cm. Specimens of the same group may differ in coloration or the pattern of body stripes. The body is elongated (somewhat reminiscent of a pike’s build), the head is smoothed with a straight profile, the back is flat. Pectoral and anal fins are shifted towards the tail. Eyes are blue.
The male is colored unusually beautifully. Against a straw-yellow, sometimes pale orange background, four wide coffee-black stripes stand out across the body. The pectoral fins in males are blue, long, and pointed. On the caudal fin, the middle rays are elongated. The caudal fin resembles a rocket exhaust or a small torch in shape and color, with 3 converging lines: the middle one is purple, the outer ones are blue. In the male, the caudal fin has an orange-red field in the middle, bordered by dark red lines on a bluish background. The female is similar in coloration to the male, but lacks the “torch” on her tail.
The coloration of males varies significantly depending on the habitat. Males from Liberian water bodies (“Monrovia” population) are distinguished by orange-red pectoral fins, a large orange spot in the lower part of the anal fin, and a dark gray (sometimes black) dorsal fin. In males from Guinea (“Conakry”), the coloration of the pectoral, anal, and dorsal fins is dark brown. The orange color is preserved only on the caudal fin. In the female, the fins and tail are colorless. Sometimes a few rays are colored pale pink, making her look like a young male.
Peaceful, clean-water-loving fish, capable of jumping, keeping to the upper layer of water, unsuitable for community aquariums. Fish prefer to live separately from other species, which is when their colorfulness truly manifests. When keeping them, tank mates should be chosen more carefully—small, calm fish. They should not be kept with active and predatory fish, because in this case, Epiplatys hide in plants and refuse food.
An aquarium densely planted with vegetation (floating plants are a must), a cover glass is mandatory. Bottom area is more important than aquarium height, water level is low. Does not like strong current. Artificial aeration is not required, fish can live in water with low oxygen content. Keeping them in water that is too soft has a depressing effect on the fish. A schooling fish, it is advisable to keep 5-7 fish. Males stage amusing “tournaments” which, fortunately, end only in fin displays.
This is a typically insectivorous fish: it readily takes only floating or falling food, and rarely and reluctantly picks it from the bottom. They prefer live, small-sized food. This fish is not very susceptible to diseases. For prevention, it is advisable to add table salt to the water (one teaspoon per 10 l). They mature at 4-6 months. Spawns eggs on floating plants. Despite its breathtaking beauty, it is hardly a good choice for a beginner. Lifespan 2-4 years. T 22-25°C, dH up to 10°, pH 6-7.
Identification: Pseudepiplatys annulatus.
Keeping fish of the genus Aphyosemion.
Aphyoplatys duboisi, Fenerbahce formosus, Foerschichthys flavipinnis. 
