Similis lampeye

Procatopus similis

Also known as Variable lampeye

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–79°F (22–26°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 2.4 in (6 cm)
Minimum tank: 20 gal (75 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Coastal Cameroon and Nigeria
Family: Procatopodidae

Overview

This is a peaceful, active schooling fish that wants a group of eight or more and open, gently moving water. It swims in the middle of the tank and lights up best as a group, its colors strongest when light strikes from the side over a dark bottom. Suitable companions are other calm midwater fish that enjoy a little flow, not slow or long finned species that it will beat to the food. Feed small foods such as micro pellets, crushed flake, and frozen or live daphnia, cyclops, and baby brine shrimp. A group needs a tank of at least 75 liters with clean, well oxygenated, gently flowing water.

In the wild

The similis lampeye lives in clear, gently flowing forest streams of Cameroon and southeastern Nigeria, running through shaded lowland and hill country. Give it soft to neutral water around pH 6.0 to 7.5, a temperature of 22 to 26 C, and steady, well oxygenated flow. Driftwood, rock, a dark substrate, and robust plants at the sides provide cover while keeping the center open for swimming.

Good to know

This Procatopodidae lampeye reaches about 6 cm. Its name means similar, given for how closely it resembles its relatives, though local populations actually vary a great deal in color. Breeding follows the Procatopus pattern of crevice spawning and is moderately difficult, with small fry that are slow to grow and need very fine first foods.

Did you know

Named for looking like everything else, it is in fact one of the more variable lampeyes, with bright yellow, red, and blue local forms including a golden strain from Mundemba in Cameroon.