Pearl Robber

About

Found across the Congo River basin and into the lakes of Central Africa, this obscure African characin, Micralestes stormsi, is a relatively under-documented species that pops up occasionally in the hobby. Its natural range is broad, spanning much of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, and lake systems including those connected to the Rusizi drainage. In the wild it inhabits both riverine and lacustrine environments, which hints at a degree of adaptability. Adults reach a modest size in the roughly two-to-four-inch range, making them manageable in a mid-sized aquarium. Like most characins, this species is a confirmed schooling fish and genuinely needs the company of its own kind to feel secure and behave naturally. A group of eight or more will show far more confident, active behavior than a smaller cluster hugging the corners. It is an omnivore, so a varied diet of quality flake, small pellets, and occasional frozen or live foods should keep it in good condition. The intermediate care rating likely reflects the importance of water quality and appropriate social grouping rather than any extreme sensitivity. Not a species you'll find on every stocklist, but worth seeking out for a Congo-biotope setup.