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Threeline neolebias

Neolebias trilineatus

Also known as Three-lined neolebias, Three line neolebias

FreshwaterFish

Threeline neolebias (Neolebias trilineatus)
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
1.3 in
3.3 cm
Minimum tank
14 gal
54 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Distichodontidae
Origin
Central Congo basin

Overview

The threeline neolebias is a small schooling fish for a gentle, planted tank, and among the more straightforward of its group. It is a good step up from beginner fish.

Did you know

The threeline neolebias was described by Boulenger back in 1899. That makes it one of the longer-known members of this small African genus.

Caring for the threeline neolebias

Keep threeline neolebias in a school of at least eight, in a planted tank of 14 gal (54 L) or more. A proper school is calmer and shows better color than a scattered few. This quiet, retiring fish grows bolder as its school grows.

Give it a mature, settled tank with a dark substrate and background, dense planting, driftwood, leaf litter and low light. Plenty of cover helps this shy fish feel safe. Keep the water soft and acidic, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 6.8.

Feed fine foods it can manage, such as crushed flake, microworm, frozen cyclops and baby brine shrimp. It is peaceful and belongs with small, quiet tank mates. For most keepers it is a schooling fish rather than a breeder, and its spawning is not reliably documented in aquariums.

Good to know

Neolebias trilineatus is a dwarf African characin in the family Distichodontidae. Its name means three-lined, for the pinstripes that run the length of its body.

In the wild

The threeline neolebias lives in shallow forest waters of the middle and upper Congo basin. The water there is soft and shaded, and often tannin-stained.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The threeline 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 threeline neolebias need?

A threeline neolebias needs at least 14 gal (54 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a threeline neolebias need?

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

What does a threeline neolebias eat?

A threeline neolebias eats fine foods it can manage, such as crushed flake, microworm, frozen cyclops and baby brine shrimp.

How big does a threeline neolebias get?

An adult threeline neolebias reaches about 1.3 in (3.3 cm).

Does a threeline neolebias need a group?

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

Related species