Notophthalmus Dwarf Pike Cichlid
Wallaciia notophthalmus
The 'Pin-Finned Dwarf Pike Cichlid' (8-10 cm). An exclusive gem of the Rio Negro blackwaters, the Wallaciia notophthalmus is a tiny torpedo-shaped predator of astounding beauty. The male shows off an extravagant dorsal fin whose first rays, separated and black, elongate like sharp needles. The golden-olive livery is embellished with broken bands and a conspicuous caudal spot. Extremely territorial and lethal to any dwarf or benthic fish, it demands specialized tanks of hot, hyper-acidic and amber water to reveal its hypnotic and fierce splendor.
Water Temperature
24 - 29 °C
pH Value
4.5 - 6.5
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Bottom and middle
Adult size
8 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 100 L
Minimum group
>= 1
GH
1 - 5 dGH
KH
0 - 1 dKH
TDS
15 - 85 ppm
Conductivity
23 - 133 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Central Rio Negro in Brazil (Manaus region). Lives exclusively in flooded forests and slow rivers rich in submerged wood, in the extreme conditions of Blackwater.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Dwarf Blackwater Pike Cichlid (Wallaciia notophthalmus). One of the rare "dwarf" pike cichlids of the "wallacii" group. Small size and distinctive features in males, which develop free filaments from the dorsal fin.
Social Behavior: Very territorial, but given its size it can be kept in pairs, even if males can harass females if space is insufficient. Spends its time lying in wait among intricate branches.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Gorgeous females: they possess a black ocellus surrounded by bright red or metallic pink on the dorsal fin, in addition to a reddish or fuchsia belly. Males lose the ocellus as adults but develop spectacular, very long dorsal filaments.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Strictly pure Blackwater setup. 80-100 cm (32-40 inches) tank densely tangled with roots (Red Moor or similar), massive leaf litter on the bottom and little to no direct light. Abundant tannins.
Diet and Feeding: Micro-predator. Hunts tirelessly among the wood. Provide insects, live brine shrimp, bloodworms and daphnia. Very often ignores dry food; live feed is vital to induce reproduction.
Water Quality: Very delicate and specialized species. Requires very warm water (26-29°C / 79-84°F), with hardness close to zero (KH 0-1, very low GH) and distinctly acidic pH (4.5 - 5.5). Intolerant to fluctuations.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Cohabits only with small surface Characins (Carnegiella) and quiet armored bottom fish. Preys on fry or small shrimp. Intraspecific aggression can be lethal in small tanks.
Aquarium Breeding: Cave spawners. They use very narrow crevices between wood or pipes. Once the pair is formed (rare and difficult if the values are not perfect), they spawn indoors. Strong parental care typical of the genus.
Risks and Diseases: Hole-in-the-head disease (Hexamita) and fungal infections guaranteed if kept in tap water with neutral pH or high bacterial load (clear waters).
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Central Rio Negro in Brazil (Manaus region). Lives exclusively in flooded forests and slow rivers rich in submerged wood, in the extreme conditions of Blackwater.
Origin
Amazon, Orinoco, and Guianas
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Wallaciia notophthalmus is highly aggressive, territorial, and predatory, embodying the classic pike cichlid personality. They are incredibly intelligent and aware of their surroundings, often learning to recognize their owners. Their aggressive nature demands a carefully planned setup, but they reward dedicated aquarists with fascinating behavior.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- As an apex predator in miniature, Wallaciia notophthalmus requires a meaty diet of high-quality protein. In captivity, they can be trained to accept large carnivore pellets, but they thrive on frozen or live foods. Feeder fish, earthworms, and large krill are excellent staples to keep them well-fed and active.
- Life expectancy
- 4-6 years
- Wallaciia notophthalmus has an estimated average lifespan of 4 to 6 years in the aquarium. Being native to the black and acidic waters of the Rio Negro, its longevity depends heavily on maintaining stable and very pure water parameters. Accumulation of nitrates or pH fluctuations can cause extreme stress and significantly shorten its life.
- Adult size
- 8 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 8 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 7.6 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The taxonomic record consulted is Wallaciia notophthalmus (v25.04); male or unsexed record. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Sex ratio
- Pair
- It is best to keep Wallaciia notophthalmus as a single, bonded pair. Forcing multiple adults into the same aquarium usually results in severe aggression and the eventual death of the subordinate fish. Buying a group of juveniles and letting a pair naturally form is the most successful method.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- Adult Wallaciia notophthalmus should be fed one large meal per day or every other day, simulating their natural gorge-and-fast feeding patterns. Juveniles require daily feeding to support their rapid growth rates. Removing uneaten meaty foods immediately is crucial to avoid sudden ammonia spikes.
- Bioload
- Wallaciia notophthalmus generates a significant bioload due to their predatory nature and protein-rich diet. These active fish require robust filtration to handle the organic waste they produce. Frequent, large water changes are mandatory to keep nitrate levels low and maintain a healthy environment.
- Flow
- Stagnant
- These cichlids appreciate moderate to strong water currents, reflecting their natural riverine habitats. Good flow helps maintain high dissolved oxygen levels, which is vital for Wallaciia notophthalmus. Powerheads or strong filter outputs can be used to create the dynamic environment they prefer.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding Wallaciia notophthalmus is notoriously difficult and requires a dedicated species setup. They are cave spawners, so providing appropriately sized PVC pipes or rock caves is necessary. Both parents are fiercely protective of the fry and will attack any intruders with extreme prejudice.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Pike cichlids are highly predatory and extremely aggressive toward smaller fish. Wallaciia notophthalmus should only be kept with robust, similarly sized, or larger species that cannot be swallowed. They can also exhibit intense conspecific aggression, meaning careful planning is required if keeping them with other cichlids.
- Tank level
- Middle/Bottom
- They are primarily middle to bottom dwellers, often hovering in the water column waiting to ambush prey. Wallaciia notophthalmus needs plenty of structure, such as large pieces of driftwood and rocks, to establish their territory. They will fiercely defend their chosen spot against any perceived threats.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Trophic level
- 3.2 ± 0.5 se
- Resilience
- High (less than 15 months)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5039
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.00776, b = 3.12
- VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (10 / 100)
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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