Fish
Ansorge's Neolebias
Neolebias ansorgii
Origin: Ansorge's neolebias is a small African characin from the Congo basin and coastal rivers of West Africa. It inhabits small shaded forest streams and swamps with soft, acidic water and dense vegetation.
Also known as: Neolebias ansorgii
Fact sheet
- Size
- 4 cm
- Lifespan
- 3 years
- Minimum tank size
- 60 L
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C
- pH
- 5.5–7
- Hardness GH
- 1–10 °dH
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Group size
- 8+ individuals
- Swimming zone
- Middle
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Jumps out
- No
- Eats plants
- No
Overview
Ansorge's neolebias is a rare and refined dwarf African tetra whose males take on a rich red-green with an olive sheen in breeding dress. It is a peaceful but timid fish requiring soft, acidic water and a calm soft-water tank with dense vegetation and shaded layout. In a bright community tank with active fish it is lost and hides. It shows best in a species biotope aquarium. It suits keepers experienced with delicate soft-water species.
Appearance
The body is shallow and elongated, up to 4 cm long. In breeding dress males have olive-green flanks with a reddish belly and a dark longitudinal stripe; the fins are reddish. Females are paler and fuller. The species lacks the adipose fin typical of many characins. Colour depends greatly on conditions and mood.
Care
A tank of at least 60 L, densely planted, with soft acidic water, dark substrate, and shaded areas. Temperature 23–27 °C, pH 5.5–7.0, hardness GH 1–10. Clean soft water, peat/leaf filtration, and a calm setting are needed. The species is sensitive to hard water and stress.
Feeding
An omnivore with a small mouth. It takes small live and frozen foods — cyclops, brine shrimp nauplii, micro-worm, and fine daphnia; it takes small dry foods reluctantly. Feed once or twice daily in small portions.
Compatibility
A peaceful but timid fish. It thrives only in calm company — small soft-water characins, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, and shrimp. Active or large tankmates frighten it. Keep in shoals of at least 8.
Breeding
An egg-layer. Trigger spawning with very soft, acidic water. The fish scatter eggs among fine-leaved plants and moss; remove the adults. The fry are small and need infusoria. Breeding requires experience.
Fun facts
Ansorge's neolebias is one of the few dwarf African tetras in the hobby. Unlike most characins, the genus lacks an adipose fin. The males' breeding colour appears only in calm, soft water.