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Proselytus dwarf pike

Teleocichla proselytus

Also known as Tapajos clown teleocichla

FreshwaterFish
Proselytus dwarf pike (Teleocichla proselytus)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
79–86°F (26–30°C)
pH
6.0–7.2
Adult size
3.1 in (8 cm)
Minimum tank
29 gal (110 L)
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
Tankmates with caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Rare
Origin
Rio Tapajós rapids
Family
Cichlidae

Overview

This is a slender, bottom-hugging dwarf pike cichlid from fast Amazon rapids, one of the sturdier members of its genus and reasonably kept as a small group where each fish can hold a patch of rock. It has a reduced swim bladder and lives right on the bottom, darting between stones, and while it is not aggressive toward larger fish it will treat very small tankmates as prey, so choose companions with care. It is a micropredator, taking frozen bloodworm, daphnia, and brine shrimp and often prepared foods too. Give it around 110 liters or more with strong flow, high oxygen, and broken rock cover.

In the wild

It comes from sun-warmed rapids of the Rio Tapajos in Brazil, living among bedrock and loose pebbles in fast, oxygen-rich, warm water. Recreate that with a tank of rounded stones and pebbles, strong filtration or powerheads to drive brisk current, and high dissolved oxygen. Keep the temperature warm at about 26 to 30 C and the water soft and slightly acidic to neutral, roughly pH 6 to 7.2, and stay on top of water quality, since it has little tolerance for low oxygen or ammonia.

Good to know

Teleocichla proselytus is a small cichlid of the family Cichlidae, reaching about 8 centimeters, and among the stockier species in its genus of rapids-dwelling dwarf pikes. Like its relatives it has a reduced swim bladder that keeps it on the bottom. It is a cave-spawning species of moderate difficulty and has been bred by keepers who match its fast, clean, oxygen-rich home. It was described by the ichthyologist Sven Kullander in 1988.

Did you know

Its name has a convert's ring to it: proselytus is Latin for a proselyte or newcomer, one of several evocative names Kullander gave the little-known rapids pikes of this genus.

Common questions

What size tank does a Proselytus dwarf pike need?

A Proselytus dwarf pike needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH do Proselytus dwarf pike need?

Proselytus dwarf pike are comfortable at 79–86°F (26–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.2.

How big do Proselytus dwarf pike get?

An adult Proselytus dwarf pike reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).

Where to buy

Some links may not be the exact species or variety.

…or ask your local fish store.

Appears in

Freshwater fish · Cichlids · Bottom dwellers

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