TankBud

Banded lampeye

Aplocheilichthys spilauchen

Also known as Aplochelichthys spilauchen, Banded lampeye killi

FreshwaterBrackishFish

Banded lampeye (Aplocheilichthys spilauchen)

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
7.5–8.5
Adult size
2.8 in
7 cm
Minimum tank
21 gal
80 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Top
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg depositor · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Procatopodidae
Origin
Coastal lagoons from Senegal to Angola

Overview

The banded lampeye is a peaceful schooler for the top of a hard-water or lightly brackish tank. It is the largest of the lampeyes kept in the hobby, and it suits a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

The banded lampeye lives in tidal water and takes readily to brackish conditions, unlike most of its freshwater relatives.

Caring for the banded lampeye

Banded lampeyes like room to cruise. Give a group the length it wants, in a long tank of at least 21 gal (80 L). Leave open swimming space just under the surface, where the group spreads out along the top. Add some rooted and floating plants that tolerate salt, and run steady filtration.

Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.5 to 8.5. Use either hard fresh water or a light addition of marine salt, as keepers often do. They take food from near the surface, so offer floating and slow-sinking foods. Small flakes, micro pellets and frozen daphnia, brine shrimp and mosquito larvae all suit them.

Keep them in a group of eight or more. Choose other calm fish that suit the same water, and avoid boisterous or fin-nipping tank mates.

Banded lampeyes scatter small numbers of eggs among fine plants over many days. Breeding them is moderately difficult, and the fry are small and slow to raise.

Good to know

The banded lampeye is part of Procatopodidae and is the type species of Aplocheilichthys. Most of its former relatives have been moved into other genera. It is now effectively the only species still held in that once much larger genus.

In the wild

The banded lampeye ranges from Senegal south to Angola, living in coastal lagoons, estuaries and mangrove creeks. The water there is often hard, alkaline and slightly salty, where the sea meets the river.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The banded lampeye is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the top. 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 a banded lampeye need?

A banded lampeye needs at least 21 gal (80 L). It spends most of its time in the top.

What temperature and pH does a banded lampeye need?

A banded lampeye is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 7.5–8.5.

What does a banded lampeye eat?

A banded lampeye takes its food from near the surface, so it eats floating and slow-sinking foods. Small flakes, micro pellets and frozen daphnia, brine shrimp and mosquito larvae all suit it.

How big does a banded lampeye get?

An adult banded lampeye reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).

Does a banded lampeye need a group?

Yes. A banded lampeye is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a banded lampeye breed?

Banded lampeyes scatter small numbers of eggs among fine plants over many days. Breeding them is moderately difficult, and the fry are small and slow to raise.

Related species