Philippe's neolebias

Neolebias philippei

Also known as Philippei neolebias, Phillip's neolebias

FreshwaterFish

Philippe's neolebias (Neolebias philippei) — The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature: 73–81°F (23–27°C)
pH: 5.5–6.8
Adult size: 1.4 in (3.5 cm)
Minimum tank: 11 gal (40 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Congo basin
Family: Distichodontidae

Overview

A small, peaceful schooling fish that should be kept in a group of eight or more to look and behave its best. It occupies the middle water of a soft, dim tank and forages quietly for tiny foods, so it belongs with equally small, gentle companions rather than anything boisterous. Give it plenty of planting and shade to feel secure. Feed fine foods such as microworm, crushed flake, frozen cyclops, and baby brine shrimp. A planted tank of around 40 liters suits a small school, though a longer tank lets the group spread out and settle.

In the wild

Philippe's neolebias comes from quiet forest waters in the Congo basin, soft and shaded and often stained with tannins. Recreate that with gentle filtration, dark substrate, dense planting, driftwood, and leaf litter under low light. Hold the temperature between 23 and 27 degrees Celsius and keep the water soft and acidic at pH 5.5 to 6.8. A mature, stable tank rich in tiny live food brings out its best colour and confidence.

Good to know

Neolebias philippei is a dwarf member of the African family Distichodontidae, reaching only about 3.5 centimeters. It is an elongate, laterally compressed little fish with a silvery, olive sheen and a dark marking along the side. It was described in 1963 from rivers of the Congo basin. As with most of its small relatives, aquarium breeding is not on record.

Did you know

Neolebias are Africa's quiet answer to the tiny leaf-litter fishes of Southeast Asia: dwarf characins that school in soft, shaded forest water and make their living on the smallest of foods, filling much the same role as the Boraras of Asian streams.

Tank mates

Philippe's neolebias is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.