背纹丝足鮰 · Large-finned Lampeye

Overview

An active but rather shy schooling fish, Procatopus nototaenia combines luminous eyes with increasingly extended fins in mature males. A secure lid is essential, and collection-locality forms should be maintained separately.

Distribution & habitat

It is thought to be restricted to the Lobi and Kienke systems of southwestern Cameroon. Typical sites are shaded forest streams with clear, moderately moving water and abundant overhanging bank vegetation.

Aquarium setup

Provide at least about 60 cm of tank length and 54 L for a small group. Dense plants and floating shade suit this upper-water fish. Fit the lid closely because it jumps well.

A stream-style layout can use coarse gravel, rounded stones, and branches. An outlet at one end creates directional flow, while surface disturbance improves oxygen supply. Tough shade-tolerant plants such as Anubias and aquatic ferns suit this arrangement.

Organic waste must not accumulate. Frequent changes of about 10–20% help keep the water clean. Slightly cool conditions are preferred; a reputation for favoring acidity should not override attention to the conditions a particular group has adapted to.

Diet & feeding

Body shape and the upward-facing mouth suggest surface feeding on small invertebrates in nature, rather than proving it. In captivity, Daphnia, bloodworms, Artemia, and similar live or frozen foods are favored.

Behaviour & compatibility

Peaceful small companions with matching conditions are suitable. Avoid much larger or highly competitive fishes, and exclude fin nippers that may target adult males.

Maintain at least six to eight, preferably of both sexes. The presence of females encourages male coloration, and a group better expresses its natural schooling behavior.

Sexual dimorphism

Males are larger and more colorful, developing extended dorsal, anal, and caudal fins with maturity. Females are relatively plain silver and can look very similar across locality forms.

Breeding

Eggs are inserted into narrow crevices. Moss clumps or spawning mops compressed at intervals with elastic bands provide accessible sites. Wood or inert rocks can also work, but make collection harder. A dim aquarium with gentle sponge filtration supplies modest flow and oxygen.

Condition adults with small live and frozen foods. Mature fish may lay daily. Carefully open the spawning medium to retrieve eggs, transferring them to a separate shaded container of parental-tank water. Gentle aeration is optional. If reluctant to spawn, gradual temperature adjustment within the established range may help.

Hatching usually takes about 10–14 days, depending on temperature. Start fry on infusoria-sized food, progressing to Artemia nauplii or microworms after three or four days. Growth is slow, and an apparently awkward head-up posture during the first couple of months can be normal.

Notes

Kribi, Yabassi, Fifinda, Makondo, Edea, and Kopongo are among locality labels used for forms differing mainly in male color and fins. Preserve collection information and breed forms separately. Members of the genus are nonannual killifishes associated with permanent waters.