Proselytus dwarf pike
Teleocichla proselytus
Also known as Tapajos clown teleocichla
FreshwaterFish
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
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Cave spawner · Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Rio Tapajós rapids
Overview
The Proselytus dwarf pike is a slender cichlid from fast Amazon rapids. It is one of the sturdier members of its genus, though not a fish for a first tank.
Did you know
The Proselytus dwarf pike's 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.
Caring for the Proselytus dwarf pike
Give Proselytus dwarf pikes at least 29 gal (110 L), with rounded stones, pebbles and broken rock for cover. They live right on the bottom and dart between the stones.
Drive a brisk current with strong filtration or powerheads, and keep the dissolved oxygen high. Keep the water at 79 to 86°F (26 to 30°C), soft and slightly acidic to neutral, at a pH of 6.0 to 7.2. Stay on top of water quality, since it has little tolerance for low oxygen or ammonia.
It is a micropredator. Feed frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, and it often takes prepared foods too. Keep a small group, where each fish can hold a patch of rock. It is not aggressive toward larger fish, but it will treat very small tank mates as prey, so choose companions with care.
Proselytus dwarf pikes are cave spawners, and breeding them takes moderate effort. Keepers who match their fast, clean, oxygen-rich home have bred them.
Good to know
Teleocichla proselytus is a small cichlid of the family Cichlidae, 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. The ichthyologist Sven Kullander described it in 1988, and it also goes by Tapajos clown teleocichla.
In the wild
The Proselytus dwarf pike comes from sun-warmed rapids of the Rio Tapajos in Brazil. It lives among bedrock and loose pebbles, in fast, warm water rich in oxygen.
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 does a Proselytus dwarf pike need?
A Proselytus dwarf pike is comfortable at 79–86°F (26–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.2.
What does a Proselytus dwarf pike eat?
A Proselytus dwarf pike is a micropredator that eats frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. It often takes prepared foods too.
How big does a Proselytus dwarf pike get?
An adult Proselytus dwarf pike reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).
How does a Proselytus dwarf pike breed?
The Proselytus dwarf pike is a cave spawner, and breeding it takes moderate effort. Keepers who match its fast, clean, oxygen-rich home have bred it.
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