This dainty little characin was a fairly popular aquarium fish in the 1950s and 1960s – according to the literature, at least. Nowadays it is only very rarely seen in the trade.
The species is comparatively widespread in Central Africa. It has been reported from Angola, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, and the D. R. Congo However, it would appear that this little fish (around 2.5 – 3 cm long) is commonly overlooked or prefers habitats where it can’t be collected effectively. Otherwise it is difficult to explain why the species so rarely turns up in the trade.
There is also a question mark over whether all fishes determined as Neolebias ansorgii actually belong to this species. Depending on the locality, these fishes look very different and it has yet to be clarified what the fish described by Boulenger in 1912, from the Lucula River in Angola, actually looks like in life. The fish we can offer currently are offspring from a sample of five specimens sent to our company in spring 2012. The variant or species exhibits a very attractive, brilliant green lateral stripe.
These dwarfs, which aren’t particularly delicate, are best maintained in a small species tank. In the company of larger and livelier fishes they become timid and pale, as also happens in brightly lit aquaria. So, muted light, dark substrate (peat fiber), soft water, pH 6.0-6.5, and a temperature around 24 °C. You should then get a lot of pleasure from these charming little fishes, which will eat all the usual fish foods of appropriate size.
There is a current discussion whether all species of Neolebias should be better placed in Nannaethiops, for the differences seem not to justify two separate genera.
For our customers: the fish have code 154512 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in limited numbers only!
Lexicon: Neolebias: from ancient Greek, means “new Lebias”; Lebias is a different genus of fish. ansorgii: dedication name for the collector of the species, William John Ansorge (1850-1913). Nannaethiops: means about “small Ethiopian”.
Suggestion of a common name: Ansorge´s Neolebias
Text: Frank Schäfer, photos: Frank Schäfer & Dieter Bork
| Angaben zum Tier | |
|---|---|
| Herkunft | Nachzucht / bred |
| Verfügbare Größe in cm | 3-4 |
