Blackspot lampeye

Poropanchax stigmatopygus

Also known as Stigmatopygus lampeye, Black spot blue lampeye killifish

FreshwaterFish

Blackspot lampeye (Poropanchax stigmatopygus) — The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–79°F (22–26°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 1.2 in (3 cm)
Minimum tank: 11 gal (40 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Chad and Niger savanna waters
Family: Procatopodidae

Overview

This is one of the smallest lampeyes, a gentle schooling fish that should be kept in a group of ten or more so it feels secure and stays out in the open. It swims in the middle of the tank and shows best over a dark bottom in a quiet, densely planted nano setup. Only the calmest, tiniest tankmates suit it, such as small rasboras or dwarf shrimp, and anything pushy will keep it hidden. Feed very fine foods: crushed flake, micro pellets, powdered fry food, and small live or frozen daphnia and cyclops. A group settles well in a tank of about 40 liters with soft light and gentle flow.

In the wild

The blackspot lampeye comes from slow, weedy savanna waters of the Chad basin and nearby drainages, shallow pools and channels warmed by the sun and thick with vegetation. Aim for soft to neutral water around pH 6.0 to 7.5 and a temperature of 22 to 26 C. A dark substrate, dense fine leaved planting, and calm, well filtered water bring out the blue eye shine and the row of thin body lines.

Good to know

A member of Procatopodidae, this is a true micro fish that reaches only about 3 cm and carries three fine blue lines along each flank. It is a continuous plant spawner of moderate difficulty, depositing a few eggs a day among fine plants or a mop over a long period. The fry are minute and need infusoria sized food before they can take newly hatched brine shrimp.

Did you know

Some sellers list it as the anus spot lampeye, a blunt but accurate translation of stigmatopygus, which points to the small dark mark set just above the vent.