Procatopus nototaenia Breeding Guide

Breeding the large-finned lampeye Procatopus nototaenia: a crevice-spawning Cameroonian killifish that wedges eggs into moss, mops or bogwood.

Overview

Procatopus nototaenia, the large-finned lampeye, is endemic to the Lobi and Kienke river basins in southwestern Cameroon, where Seriously Fish reports it as a shoaling, well-oxygenation-loving killifish of the family Procatopodidae. Males carry the broad unpaired fins that distinguish the species from P. similis.

Sexing

Seriously Fish notes that males are larger and significantly more colourful, with elongated dorsal, anal and caudal fins, while females are a relatively plain silvery colour.

Conditioning

Condition adults on small live and frozen foods. Seriously Fish lists 20-25 C, pH 5.8-7.5 and 1-10 dH for the species; if fish are reluctant to spawn, raising the temperature by a few degrees over several days can help trigger them. Once mature they spawn daily.

Breeding Setup

Seriously Fish recommends a bare tank with dim lighting and a small air-powered sponge filter for oxygenation and flow. Because this is a crevice-spawner, provide clumps of Java moss, tightly squeezed spawning mops or pieces of bogwood into which the eggs can be wedged.

Spawning Behaviour & Trigger

Seriously Fish describes crevice spawning, in which the eggs are laid in small nooks and crannies to avoid predation. Mature fish spawn daily, so spawning media can be checked and rotated regularly.

Egg & Fry Care

Seriously Fish gives an incubation period of 10-14 days, temperature-dependent. Eggs are transferred to separate containers filled with water from the adult tank; fry first need infusoria-type food, then Artemia nauplii or microworm after three to four days. Fry grow slowly and may adopt a natural head-up posture early on.

Common Challenges

Slow fry growth and the need for steady oxygenation are the main hurdles. Gentle but well-oxygenated flow and a smooth progression of fry foods from infusoria to brine shrimp give the best survival.