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Phylum Chordata > Subphylum Vertebrate > fishes
Whitespot or Tinhead
Aplocheilus panchax
Family Aplocheilidae
updated Mar 11
Where seen? These small fishes that resemble guppies are sometimes seen in our mangroves. Elsewhere it is found in lowland wetlands to estuaries and peats, also found in ponds and ditches, reservoirs and mangrove creeks. It prefers clear water in areas with dense growths of rooted or floating plants.

What are killifishes? Killifishes belong to Family Aplocheilidae. According to Fishbase: The family has 15 genera and 310 species. In Singapore, so far, the only Killifish found here is the Whitespot.

Admiralty Park, Mar 11
Features: Up to 6cm long. A slender silvery fish with a shiny white spot at the top of its head. There is also a dark spot on its dorsal fin.

What do they eat? According to FishBase, it feeds mainly on insectsand has been used for mosquito control.

Human uses: It is said to be a popular aquarium fish although it is also reported to be difficult to maintain in captivity.

Admiralty Park, Aug 11
Whitespot on Singapore shores

Admiralty Park, Mar 11

Admiralty Park, Mar 11
Family Aplocheilidae recorded for Singapore
from Wee Y.C. and Peter K. L. Ng. 1994. A First Look at Biodiversity in Singapore.
  Family Aplocheilidae
  Aplocheilus panchax (Whitespot or Tinhead)
Links

References

  • Wee Y.C. and Peter K. L. Ng. 1994. A First Look at Biodiversity in Singapore. National Council on the Environment. 163pp.
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