Ansorge's neolebias
Neolebias ansorgii
Also known as Ansorge's tetra, Red neolebias, Ansorgii neolebias, Ansorg's neolebias
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 5.0–6.5
- Adult size
- 1.4 in
- 3.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 11 gal
- 40 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Distichodontidae
- Origin
- Native to West and Central Africa from the Niger delta to the lower Congo.
Overview
Ansorge's neolebias is a shy nano fish from Africa that does best in a small species tank. It suits a keeper with a little experience.
Did you know
Ansorge's neolebias can look drab and washed out in a dealer's tank. Once it settles into soft, well planted, tannin stained water, it can turn into a glowing red jewel.
Caring for the Ansorge's neolebias
Give Ansorge's neolebias a small, densely planted tank of at least 11 gal (40 L), with gentle lighting. Keep the water soft and acidic, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 5.0 to 6.5.
It is peaceful and fine alone or in a group, and a group should number at least six. House it only with very small, calm tank mates.
Males in breeding condition flush deep red across the lower body and fins. It is hard to breed.
Good to know
Neolebias ansorgii is a tiny African characin in the family Distichodontidae, not the American tetra family. It is one of the more colorful members of its genus.
In the wild
Ansorge's neolebias is native to West and Central Africa, from the Niger delta to the lower Congo. It lives in marshes, small ponds and heavily vegetated creeks, where the water is soft, acidic, and often shallow and slow. The fish keep among dense plants and are easily overlooked in the wild.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Ansorge's neolebias is a peaceful, social 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.
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Freshwater1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)
Dwarf gourami
Trichogaster lalius
Freshwater3 in (7.5 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Amano shrimp
Caridina multidentata
FreshwaterBrackish2 in (5 cm) · 8 gal (30 L)59–81°F (15–27°C)
Burmese mini moth catfish
Hara minuscula
Freshwater1.2 in (3 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Honey blue-eye
Pseudomugil mellis
Freshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)
Cheetah moth catfish
Pseudolaguvia shawi
Freshwater1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does an Ansorge's neolebias need?
An Ansorge's neolebias needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does an Ansorge's neolebias need?
An Ansorge's neolebias is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 5.0–6.5.
How big does an Ansorge's neolebias get?
An adult Ansorge's neolebias reaches about 1.4 in (3.5 cm).
How can you tell a male Ansorge's neolebias from a female?
Males flush deep red across the lower body and fins when they are in breeding condition.
Related species
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