panchax
/ˈpantʃaks/noun
Originally: a fish of the former genus Panchax of small Old World tropical killifishes (family Poeciliidae); (in form Panchax) the genus itself. In later use more widely: any of numerous killifishes, especially of the genus Aplocheilus, and including many popular aquarium species.
- Members of the former genus Panchax are now included in Aplocheilus..
Origin
Early 19th century. From scientific Latin panchax, specific name, later also a genus name, of uncertain origin; perhaps from ancient Greek πάγχυ wholly, entirely; apparently so called on account of the entirety of the tail fin.