Filamentous Pyrrhulina

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Found across the Amazon basin and Guianas. Inhabits slow-flowing creeks, channels, and lagoons with dense bank vegetation.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Belongs to the Lebiasinidae family. Features an elongated, slender body. Mature males develop long filamentous dorsal and caudal fins, reaching up to 10 cm.

Social Behavior: Peaceful but males can be territorial towards one another. Best kept in a group in a spacious aquarium to distribute minor aggression.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Olive-brown body with a dark line through the eye. Males are larger and showcase spectacular long fin filaments, absent in females.

Aquarium Setup: Minimum 100-liter aquarium with dense planting. Broad-leafed plants (like Anubias or Echinodorus) near the surface are essential for their habitat.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous. Primarily feeds on surface insects in the wild. Accepts dry foods, frozen mysis, bloodworms, and small live insects.

Water Quality: Keep pH between 5.8 and 7.5, and GH between 5 and 15. Prefers calm waters with gentle filtration. Adding botanicals is beneficial.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Safe with tetras and corydoras. Avoid keeping them with aggressive species that may nip the long filaments of the males.

Aquarium Breeding: Egg-layer. Eggs are deposited on the underside of broad leaves near the surface. The male guards the spawn diligently until hatching.

Risks and Diseases: Exceptional jumping ability due to surface feeding habits. A fully sealed aquarium lid is required.