Noboli distichodus

Distichodus noboli

Also known as Nobol distichodus

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 73–82°F (23–28°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 7.5 in (19 cm)
Minimum tank: 40 gal (150 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Shoaling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Congo basin, central Africa
Family: Distichodontidae

Overview

A mid-sized distichodus for a larger tank, and a shoaling fish that should be kept in a group in open mid-water. It is mostly peaceful but robust, and best matched with sturdy tankmates rather than small or delicate ones, since a big, hungry grazer can be pushy at feeding time. Like the whole genus it browses plants, so expect soft greenery to be eaten and lean on hardy or artificial plants. Feed vegetable-based foods generously, with frozen and live items as extras. It grows larger than its slim shape suggests, so give a group plenty of length, at least 150 liters and ideally more.

In the wild

The Noboli distichodus lives in the middle Congo basin, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring Republic of Congo, along vegetated river margins. Give it open swimming space, tough or floating plants, driftwood, and steady, well oxygenated flow. Keep the water warm, 23 to 28 degrees Celsius, and near neutral to slightly acidic at pH 6.0 to 7.5. A long tank suits its active, grazing habits better than a tall one.

Good to know

Distichodus noboli is a distichodontid from the Congo basin and, at up to about 19 centimeters, sits between the dwarf distichodus species and the half-meter giants of the genus. Like all distichodus it is a committed plant grazer. It is a larger, more substantial fish than its trim outline suggests, and there is no established record of it breeding in aquaria.

Did you know

The genus Distichodus runs from small grazers of a few centimeters to giants approaching 80 centimeters. Noboli falls in the awkward middle, big enough to need a large tank yet far short of the monsters, which is part of why it is rarely offered.

Tank mates

Noboli distichodus is a mostly peaceful, shoaling species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.