Short-lined Pyrrhulina

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Widely distributed in South America: Amazon, Rio Negro, basins in Colombia and Peru. Prefers black waters, rivers covered by the forest canopy, small tributaries with weak currents and inlets rich in marginal vegetation.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Short-lined Pyrrhulina (Pyrrhulina brevis). Belonging to the Lebiasinidae family. Corpulent but slender; like all Pyrrhulina it is distinguished from its Nannostomus cousins by the absence of an adipose fin and a more elongated and oblique snout.

Social Behavior: Peaceful surface fish but not necessarily gregarious. Males establish small mobile territories under floating leaves, defending them with rapid displays with spread fins. A group of 6-8 specimens disperses intraspecific aggressiveness.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: "Sober" livery: beige/silvery body crossed by a short (brevis) but thick black line (zigzag shaped or fragmented) on the flank. The male boasts a developed dorsal fin, often decorated with a clear dark spot and orange/red nuances on the pelvic ones.

Aquarium Setup: 80 cm (32 inches) forest tank. Mandatory use of a thick layer of floating plants (Limnobium, Pistia) and broad-leaved plants that reach the surface. Extremely calm water flow; dark bottom.

Diet and Feeding: Insectivorous micro-predator. Hunts invertebrates fallen into the water or surfacing larvae. Easily accepts minute dry flakes, but explodes in health and color if fed regularly with Drosophila (fruit flies), bloodworms, daphnia or vinegar eels.

Water Quality: Amber water or "Blackwater" strongly recommended. Acidic pH (5.5-7.2) and low levels of pollutants (nitrates close to zero) to avoid fin clamping and lethal apathy.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Ideal companion for "softwater" biotopes: Dwarf Cichlids (Apistogramma), small loricariids, Corydoras and calm tetras swimming in mid-tank (e.g. Paracheirodon, Hemigrammus). They do not compete for bottom food.

Aquarium Breeding: Very interesting: the male vigorously cleans the upper or lower side of a submerged broad leaf (not out of the water like its cousin Copella arnoldi). After fertilization, he chases the female away and tirelessly guards the brood.

Risks and Diseases: Exceptional jumpers (lid or glass cover mandatory). Suffers terribly in bare tanks without floating refuges, wasting away from chronic stress in a few months.