TankBud

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
Family
Distichodontidae
Origin
Congo basin

Overview

Philippe's neolebias is a small, peaceful schooling fish for a soft, dim, planted tank. It is a fish for a keeper with some experience.

Did you know

Philippe's neolebias and its relatives are Africa's quiet answer to the tiny leaf-litter fishes of Southeast Asia. These dwarf characins school in soft, shaded forest water and live on the smallest of foods. They fill much the same role as the Boraras of Asian streams.

Caring for the Philippe's neolebias

Keep Philippe's neolebias in a group of eight or more, which helps them look and behave their best. A planted tank of 11 gal (40 L) suits a small school, though a longer tank lets the group spread out and settle.

Give them dense planting and shade, a dark substrate, driftwood and leaf litter under low light, with gentle filtration. Keep the water soft and acidic, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 6.8. A mature, stable tank rich in tiny live food brings out their best color and confidence.

They forage quietly for tiny foods. Feed fine foods such as microworm, crushed flake, frozen cyclops and baby brine shrimp.

They are peaceful and belong with equally small, gentle companions rather than anything boisterous. Aquarium breeding of Philippe's neolebias is not on record, as with most of its small relatives.

Good to know

Neolebias philippei is a dwarf member of the African family Distichodontidae. 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.

In the wild

Philippe's neolebias comes from quiet forest waters in the Congo basin. The water there is soft and shaded, and often stained with tannins.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Philippe's neolebias is a peaceful, schooling 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 Philippe's neolebias need?

A Philippe's neolebias needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Philippe's neolebias need?

A Philippe's neolebias is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–6.8.

What does a Philippe's neolebias eat?

Philippe's neolebias forages quietly for tiny foods. Feed it fine foods such as microworm, crushed flake, frozen cyclops and baby brine shrimp.

How big does a Philippe's neolebias get?

An adult Philippe's neolebias reaches about 1.4 in (3.5 cm).

Does a Philippe's neolebias need a group?

Yes. A Philippe's neolebias is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

Related species