Silver distichodus

Care at a glance

Overview

The silver distichodus is a mostly peaceful fish for a large tank. It is best kept by someone with a little experience.

Caring for the silver distichodus

Give a silver distichodus a tank of at least 53 gal (200 L). Hold the water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C), with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.

It grazes on plants, algae and soft plant matter. Expect it to eat soft plants in the tank, so use tough species or none at all.

Unlike the big, territorial distichodus, it can live alone or in a small group of four or more. It is mostly peaceful but may nip slow or long-finned tank mates, so choose companions that can keep up.

Good to know

Distichodus affinis is the smallest and most peaceful of the commonly seen Distichodus. It belongs to the African family Distichodontidae.

In the wild

The silver distichodus lives in varied habitats through the lower and central Congo River basin, from river channels to quieter margins. It shoals more readily than its larger, feistier relatives.

Common questions

Related species

• 

  Noboli distichodus

  Distichodus noboli

  7.5 in (19 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)

  7.5 in (19 cm)40 gal (150 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)

• 

  Longnose distichodus

  Distichodus lusosso

  15 in (38 cm) · 119 gal (450 L)

  15 in (38 cm)119 gal (450 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)

• 

  Six-banded distichodus

  Distichodus sexfasciatus

  15.7 in (40 cm) · 143 gal (540 L)

  15.7 in (40 cm)143 gal (540 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Dwarf distichodus

  Distichodus decemmaculatus

  3 in (7.5 cm) · 30 gal (112 L)

  3 in (7.5 cm)30 gal (112 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

• 

  Green dwarf distichodus

  Distichodus teugelsi

  2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)

  2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  African oneline tetra

  Nannaethiops unitaeniatus

  2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)

  2.6 in (6.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)