Three-lined African Tetra

About

The three-lined African tetra (Neolebias trilineatus) is a small but rewarding fish from the Congo River basin, found across a broad range stretching from Pool Malebo up through the Lualaba in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic. Adults rarely exceed an inch and a quarter, which makes them well suited to modestly sized setups. The common name comes from the three distinct horizontal lines running along the body, though fish sitting in a sparse dealer tank can look washed-out and easy to overlook. Give them a well-planted aquarium with subdued lighting and dark substrate, and their colors fill in considerably. This is a genuinely timid species that needs calm, gentle tankmates. Anything boisterous or nippy will push them into hiding permanently. A tight school of eight or more individuals helps build confidence, and a species-only setup will show off their behavior best. They are largely unfussy fish and a reasonable choice for a patient beginner willing to meet their social needs. Breeding happens only occasionally in home aquaria and requires very soft, acidic water, a mesh-bottomed spawning tank, and careful conditioning. The fry are extremely small and need infusoria as a first food, so raising them is a genuine challenge that suits more experienced keepers.