Dwarf Lampeye (Lacustricola pumilus) Care Guide
Lacustricola pumilus is a small East African lampeye from the Lake Tanganyika drainage, suited to peaceful nano community aquariums.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Lacustricola pumilus is a small East African lampeye killifish associated with the Lake Tanganyika drainage. FishBase records a maximum of about 5.5 cm total length. It occurs in small groups near river banks in slow-flowing and stagnant waters and is reported as easy to maintain in the aquarium.
Taxonomy
- Family: Procatopodidae
- Genus: Lacustricola
- Scientific name: Lacustricola pumilus
- Common synonyms: Tanganyika Lampeye
Habitat
The species inhabits Lake Tanganyika and its associated drainages in Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia, including the Lubalaye, Malagarazi and Rusizi rivers. It is found in rivers and river mouths, coastal swamps, estuaries and shallow parts of the lake. Records from other Great Lakes are considered misidentifications.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L (11 gal)
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.5-8.0
- GH: 5-20 °dGH
- School size: at least 8 individuals
- Lifespan: 2-3 years
Diet
Lacustricola pumilus is omnivorous. FishBase records natural foods including algae, fish scales, termites, chironomid larvae, prawns and copepods. In the aquarium it accepts small dried foods together with live and frozen items sized for a small mouth.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful surface-dwelling species that should be kept in a group of at least eight. Suitable companions are other small, non-aggressive fish such as small tetras and rasboras; larger or aggressive species should be avoided.
Breeding
The species is an egg-scatterer. FishBase notes that eggs develop in about 14 days in captivity and that sexual maturity is reached at around five months of age.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2016). It is used in the aquarium trade.
Lacustricola pumilus Breeding Guide
Overview
Lacustricola pumilus, the dwarf or Tanganyika lampeye (family Procatopodidae), is native to Lake Tanganyika and associated drainages across Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia, in rivers, river mouths, coastal swamps and shallow parts of the lake. FishBase reaches about 5.5 cm and classifies it as a non-seasonal killifish that is easy to maintain; the IUCN lists it as Least Concern (2016).
Sexing
Males display the brilliant blue iris ring above the eye most strongly; in this petite shoaling species males are the more vividly marked sex while females are plainer.
Conditioning
FishBase gives sexual maturity at about five months of age. Condition adults on small foods; FishBase lists a temperature of 24-26 C and pH up to 7.5 for the species.
Breeding Setup
A small, densely planted aquarium suits this nano species. killi.co.uk records breeding on spawning mops, and the fish also deposit their adhesive eggs on fine-leaved plants; a planted bottom is important as a spawning substrate.
Spawning Behaviour & Trigger
As a non-seasonal plant-spawner, the dwarf lampeye spawns continuously rather than in a single seasonal event, attaching adhesive eggs to plant surfaces day after day under stable conditions.
Egg & Fry Care
FishBase gives an egg development time of about 14 days in captivity, and the eggs are reported not to be prone to fungus. killi.co.uk notes fry can be started on a fine first food and moved onto brine shrimp nauplii after two to three weeks, with very gradual acclimation to new water to prevent mortality during transfers.
Common Challenges
killi.co.uk reports that hatch rates can be low and that young fish are sensitive to abrupt water changes, so slow acclimation and stable parameters are key. The tiny fry also need very fine first foods before brine shrimp.