TankBud

Trewavas's neolebias

Neolebias trewavasae

Also known as Trewavasae neolebias

FreshwaterFish

Trewavas's neolebias (Neolebias trewavasae)
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
1.8 in
4.5 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
Lower Congo and coastal basins

Overview

Trewavas's neolebias is a small, peaceful schooling fish for a soft, planted tank. It suits a patient keeper with some experience.

Did you know

Trewavas's neolebias honors Ethelwynn Trewavas, a British ichthyologist whose long career ran through much of the twentieth century. Cichlids and other fishes are named after her too, and she is one of the field's most-honored scientists.

Caring for the Trewavas's neolebias

Keep Trewavas's neolebias in a school of eight or more, in a planted tank of 14 gal (54 L) or larger. Give it dense planting, driftwood and leaf litter under subdued light. Dark decor, including a dark substrate and background, brings out the red in the males.

Keep the water soft and acidic, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 6.8. Stable, mature water and a calm setting let the males develop their best color. Feed fine foods such as microworm, frozen cyclops, brine shrimp and finely crushed flake to keep that color up.

It is peaceful and belongs with small, gentle companions rather than anything large or fast. It is an olive-bodied fish, and the males flush deep red in breeding condition. Its breeding is not reliably recorded in home aquariums.

Good to know

Neolebias trewavasae is a dwarf member of the African family Distichodontidae. It is the showiest of its genus in the hobby.

In the wild

Trewavas's neolebias comes from the lower Congo and coastal basins. It lives in soft, tannin-stained forest waters, quiet and shaded.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Trewavas's 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 Trewavas's neolebias need?

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

What temperature and pH does a Trewavas's neolebias need?

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

What does a Trewavas's neolebias eat?

Trewavas's neolebias eats fine foods such as microworm, frozen cyclops, brine shrimp and finely crushed flake. These foods help keep its color up.

How big does a Trewavas's neolebias get?

An adult Trewavas's neolebias reaches about 1.8 in (4.5 cm).

Does a Trewavas's neolebias need a group?

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

How can you tell a male Trewavas's neolebias from a female?

Males flush deep red when they come into breeding condition. Otherwise this is an olive-bodied fish.

Related species