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Amber-finned lampeye

Foerschichthys flavipinnis

Also known as Foerschichthys lampeye

FreshwaterFish

Amber-finned lampeye (Foerschichthys flavipinnis)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
1.4 in
3.5 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
40 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg depositor · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Procatopodidae
Origin
Niger Delta and Benin lowlands

Overview

The amber-finned lampeye is a tiny, peaceful schooling fish for the middle and upper water of a quiet, planted tank. It is a step up from the easiest community fish.

Did you know

The amber-finned lampeye's species name, flavipinnis, means yellow finned. It comes from the Latin flavus for yellow and pinna for fin. That yellow is the amber tint that gives the fish its common name.

Caring for the amber-finned lampeye

A starter group of amber-finned lampeyes fits in a tank of 11 gal (40 L) or more. Use plenty of fine-leaved plants over a dark substrate, and add some floating cover to dim the light. Keep the filtration and flow gentle so the fish can hold in open midwater.

Give them soft to neutral water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. They pick at small foods through the day, so offer tiny foods such as micro pellets and crushed flake. Add small live or frozen items like daphnia, cyclops and baby brine shrimp.

Keep these peaceful fish in a group of at least eight to ten, since lone fish grow nervous and lose condition. Pair them only with calm, similarly small community fish that will not bully them or beat them to a meal.

Amber-finned lampeyes are continuous spawners, laying a few eggs at a time among fine plants or a spawning mop. Breeding them is moderately difficult, and the tiny fry need very small first foods.

Good to know

The amber-finned lampeye belongs to Procatopodidae, the African lampeyes. It is the only species in the genus Foerschichthys, which was erected in 1981 and named for the German aquarist Walter Foersch. Adults carry the pale blue eye shine that gives the family its name. In good condition, their fins take on a yellow tint.

In the wild

The amber-finned lampeye comes from sluggish, shaded lowland creeks and swamps of the Niger Delta and the Benin coastal plain. The water there is warm, soft and stained by leaf litter.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The amber-finned lampeye is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does an amber-finned lampeye need?

An amber-finned lampeye needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an amber-finned lampeye need?

An amber-finned lampeye is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does an amber-finned lampeye eat?

An amber-finned lampeye eats tiny foods such as micro pellets and crushed flake, picking at them through the day. It also takes small live or frozen daphnia, cyclops and baby brine shrimp.

How big does an amber-finned lampeye get?

An adult amber-finned lampeye reaches about 1.4 in (3.5 cm).

Does an amber-finned lampeye need a group?

Yes. An amber-finned lampeye is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does an amber-finned lampeye breed?

Amber-finned lampeyes spawn continuously, laying a few eggs at a time among fine plants or a spawning mop. Breeding them is moderately difficult, and the tiny fry need very small first foods.

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