Whitespot

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Whitespot
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cyprinodontiformes
Family: Aplocheilidae
Genus: Aplocheilus
Species: A. panchax
Binomial name
Aplocheilus panchax
Hamilton, 1822

The whitespot or blue panchax, Aplocheilus panchax, is a common freshwater fish found in a large variety of habitats due to its high adaptability. A native fish of Southeast Asia, it has even been discovered in two hot springs in Singapore.

Identified by a white-coloured spot on its head which gave it its name, the 8 cm long species tends to keep to the surface of the water, and is useful in controlling the mosquito population by feeding on its larvae.