TankBud

Green dwarf distichodus

Distichodus teugelsi

Also known as Teugels' distichodus

FreshwaterFish

Green dwarf distichodus (Distichodus teugelsi)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
4.5–6.5
Adult size
2.4 in
6 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Distichodontidae
Origin
Central Congo basin blackwaters

Overview

The green dwarf distichodus is a small, peaceful shoaling fish for a blackwater tank. Its soft-water needs make it a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

The green dwarf distichodus lives in water that most of its river neighbors avoid. Few fish of its family live in water this soft and acidic, which is part of why it stays uncommon in the hobby.

Caring for the green dwarf distichodus

Keep green dwarf distichodus in a group of six or more, in a tank of at least 20 gal (75 L). Set up a blackwater tank, with tannins from leaf litter and wood and gentle filtration. A dark substrate and subdued light show off its color.

It is a soft-water specialist, and it needs genuinely soft, acidic water. Keep the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C), with a pH of 4.5 to 6.5.

Like its relatives, it grazes on plant matter and will sample soft plants. Give it hardy greenery, or offer blanched vegetables to browse. Feed vegetable-based foods with some small frozen fare.

It is peaceful and suits calm tank mates that share its taste for acidic water. Its breeding has not been documented in aquariums.

Good to know

Distichodus teugelsi was described in 2008 and belongs to the family Distichodontidae. It is among the very smallest species in its genus, whose other members grow far larger. The species is named for the Belgian ichthyologist Guy Teugels.

In the wild

The green dwarf distichodus comes from the blackwaters of the middle Congo basin. The water there is soft and acidic.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The green dwarf distichodus is a peaceful, shoaling 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 a green dwarf distichodus need?

A green dwarf distichodus needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a green dwarf distichodus need?

A green dwarf distichodus is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 4.5–6.5.

What does a green dwarf distichodus eat?

A green dwarf distichodus grazes on plant matter and will sample soft plants. Feed it vegetable-based foods and blanched vegetables, with some small frozen fare.

How big does a green dwarf distichodus get?

An adult green dwarf distichodus reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).

Does a green dwarf distichodus need a group?

Yes. A green dwarf distichodus is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

Related species