Procatopus similis Breeding Guide

Breeding the lampeye Procatopus similis: a crevice-spawning African killifish that pushes eggs into narrow gaps and needs strong, well-oxygenated flow.

Overview

Procatopus similis is an African lampeye (family Procatopodidae) from southern Nigeria and west and east Cameroon south to the Lokundje, where FishBase records it from small rivers and brooks in streaming areas. It is a non-seasonal, shoaling killifish; killi.co.uk reports it best kept in groups of eight or more, for example three males and five females.

Sexing

Males are the more colourful sex with the metallic blue eye-stripe and shimmering scales; killi.co.uk describes males performing a peacock-like courtship dance, following the female and spreading their fins, while females are plainer.

Conditioning

Condition adults on small live and frozen foods in well-oxygenated, slightly flowing water; FishBase lists pH 6.0-8.0 and 24-26 C, while killi.co.uk describes breeding in moderately soft, acidic water at 20-23 C with substantial water movement.

Breeding Setup

This is a crevice-spawner, so provide narrow gaps: killi.co.uk notes that the eggs are pushed into small crevices rather than deposited on mops or peat. Bogwood fragments, filter foam or small immobile rocks supply suitable slots, and strong sponge-filter flow is essential.

Spawning Behaviour & Trigger

After the male's courtship dance, the pair work the crevices and the eggs are wedged inside to avoid predation. killi.co.uk notes that providing airflow during hatching improves success and reduces belly sliders.

Egg & Fry Care

killi.co.uk gives an incubation of about 14-21 days. Young fish readily take live or frozen baby brine shrimp from hatching and should be moved to a grow-out tank with strong sponge-filter flow, as the fry shoal immediately and prefer swimming directly in the current.

Common Challenges

killi.co.uk rates breeding as average difficulty, with poor egg production the main challenge. Belly sliders are reduced by maintaining airflow over the eggs, and both adults and fry require substantial water movement to thrive.