Aplocheilichthys normani, commonly known as Norman’s Lampeye, is a striking and popular aquarium fish species that hails from the Congo Basin in Central Africa. This charming little fish is well-loved among aquarium enthusiasts for its vibrant colors, unique behaviors, and ease of care. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various aspects of Aplocheilichthys normani, including its natural habitat, physical characteristics, behavior, care in captivity, breeding, and conservation status.

Habitat and Distribution

Norman’s Lampeye, scientifically classified as Aplocheilichthys normani, originates from the Congo Basin in Central Africa. These fish inhabit slow-moving or still waters, such as swamps, ponds, and small streams. Their natural environment is often heavily vegetated, providing numerous hiding spots and breeding locations. The Congo Basin is home to a diverse range of aquatic species, and Norman’s Lampeye is just one of the many fascinating inhabitants.

Physical Characteristics

Understanding the physical characteristics of Aplocheilichthys normani is essential for providing proper care in captivity. Here are some key features:

1. Size: Norman’s Lampeye is a small fish, with adults typically reaching lengths of 4 to 5 centimeters (1.5 to 2 inches).
2. Coloration: These fish exhibit vibrant colors, with their namesake “lampeye” referring to the reflective spot on their eye, which resembles a tiny light. Their bodies can range in color from silver to olive-green, often with iridescent blue or green hues.
3. Fins: Norman’s Lampeye features translucent and colorfully edged dorsal and anal fins. The caudal fin may have a forked or slightly rounded shape.
4. Shape: Their bodies are elongated and slightly flattened, allowing them to navigate through densely vegetated waters.

Behavior

The behavior of Aplocheilichthys normani is a fascinating aspect of their care in captivity. Understanding their behavior can help aquarists create a suitable environment. Here are some notable behavioral traits:

1. Schooling Behavior: Norman’s Lampeye is a shoaling species, meaning they thrive in groups. Keeping them in groups of at least five individuals is recommended to ensure their well-being and to observe their natural behaviors.
2. Feeding: These fish are omnivorous and primarily feed on small invertebrates like insects and their larvae, as well as zooplankton. In captivity, they readily accept a varied diet, including high-quality flake, pellet foods, live or frozen options like daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms.
3. Territorial Behavior: While Norman’s Lampeye is not particularly aggressive, they can exhibit territorial behaviors, especially during the breeding season. Providing ample hiding spots can help alleviate potential conflicts.

Care in Captivity

Providing the right care for Aplocheilichthys normani in captivity is essential for their well-being and longevity. Here are key considerations for creating an ideal environment:

1. Tank Setup: When setting up an aquarium for Norman’s Lampeye, aim to mimic their natural habitat. Consider the following:
   • Tank Size: A 10-gallon aquarium is sufficient for a small group of Norman’s Lampeye. A larger tank allows for a more substantial group.
   • Substrate: Fine gravel or sand serves as a suitable substrate to replicate their natural environment.
   • Plants: Include live plants such as Java moss, Amazon swords, Vallisneria, and floating plants. These plants provide hiding places, mimic their natural surroundings, and encourage breeding.
   • Filtration: Use gentle filtration to avoid strong water currents that can stress the fish. A sponge filter is an excellent choice for these purposes.
2. Water Parameters: Maintain the following water conditions for Aplocheilichthys normani:
   • Temperature: Keep the water temperature within the range of 72-78°F (22-26°C).
   • pH: Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral pH level, typically around 6.5-7.5.
   • Hardness: Norman’s Lampeye adapts well to a range of water hardness levels, but moderately soft water is often preferred.
3. Diet: These fish accept a diverse diet. Offer high-quality flake and pellet foods as a staple diet, supplemented with live or frozen foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms to provide variety and nutrition.
4. Hiding Spots: Provide ample hiding spots in the form of plants, driftwood, or caves to accommodate their natural behavior and reduce potential territorial conflicts.

Breeding Aplocheilichthys normani

Breeding Aplocheilichthys normani, commonly known as Norman’s Lampeye, is a fascinating and rewarding endeavor for aquarium enthusiasts who appreciate the beauty and unique behaviors of this species. Native to the Congo Basin in Central Africa, Norman’s Lampeye is known for its vibrant colors and interesting courtship displays. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the various aspects of breeding Aplocheilichthys normani, including tank setup, water conditions, breeding behaviors, egg incubation, and raising fry.

Tank Setup

Creating the right environment for Aplocheilichthys normani is crucial for successful breeding. Here’s how to set up a breeding tank for these captivating fish:

1. Tank Size: A 10 to 20-gallon aquarium is suitable for a breeding pair or a small group of Norman’s Lampeye. The tank size should provide enough space for the fish to establish territories and exhibit their natural behaviors.
2. Substrate: Use fine gravel or sand as the substrate. Norman’s Lampeye often lay their eggs in the substrate, so providing a suitable substrate is essential.
3. Plants: Norman’s Lampeye thrives in densely planted tanks that mimic their natural habitat. Opt for live plants like Java moss, Amazon swords, Vallisneria, and floating plants. These plants offer hiding places, mimic their natural surroundings, and encourage breeding.
4. Filtration: Implement gentle filtration to avoid strong water currents that can stress the fish. A sponge filter is an excellent choice for these purposes.
5. Water Parameters: Maintain the following water conditions for Aplocheilichthys normani:
   • Temperature: Keep the water temperature within the range of 72-78°F (22-26°C).
   • pH: Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral pH level, typically around 6.5-7.5.
   • Hardness: Norman’s Lampeye adapts well to a range of water hardness levels, but moderately soft water is often preferred.

Selecting Breeding Stock

Before you embark on the breeding journey with Aplocheilichthys normani, it’s essential to select healthy and sexually mature individuals for your breeding pair. Here are some key considerations:

1. Sexual Dimorphism: Norman’s Lampeye exhibit sexual dimorphism, with males being slightly larger and displaying more vibrant colors. Males also have elongated dorsal and anal fins compared to females.
2. Age and Size: Choose fish that are at least 3-4 months old and have reached sexual maturity. Mature males are typically 4-5 centimeters long, while females are slightly smaller.
3. Conditioning: Prior to breeding, condition the selected individuals by providing a varied and nutritious diet. Live or frozen foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms should be included in their diet.

Breeding Behaviors

Aplocheilichthys normani exhibits intriguing breeding behaviors that are essential to understand for a successful breeding experience. Here’s what to expect:

1. Lighting and Temperature: Maintain a natural light cycle in the breeding tank, typically a 12-hour day/night cycle. Gradually increasing the water temperature to the upper end of their preferred range (78°F) can mimic the onset of the rainy season, which may trigger breeding behavior.
2. Introducing the Pair: Place the conditioned male and female in the breeding tank. The male will soon begin to exhibit courtship behavior, which includes displaying vibrant colors and performing intricate fin displays to attract the female.
3. Egg Laying: When the female is receptive, she will lay eggs in the substrate. These eggs are adhesive and will stick to the substrate, typically near plants. The male will follow the female and fertilize the eggs as she lays them.
4. Monitoring Behavior: Carefully observe the breeding pair. If the female becomes stressed or the male displays excessive aggression, it may be necessary to separate them. Norman’s Lampeye can be territorial, so providing sufficient hiding places can help mitigate aggression.
5. Egg Collection: To maximize the survival of the fry, it’s advisable to remove the adult fish from the breeding tank to prevent them from consuming the eggs. Carefully collect the eggs from the substrate with a soft siphon or a gentle hand, taking care not to damage them.

Incubating the Eggs

Aplocheilichthys normani eggs have unique characteristics, including the ability to enter diapause and survive for several weeks without water. Here’s how to successfully incubate the eggs:

1. Incubation Container: Transfer the collected eggs to a separate container filled with moist peat moss or vermiculite. The substrate should be damp but not waterlogged.
2. Storage Temperature: Store the incubation container at a temperature of 72-78°F (22-26°C) in a dark or low-light environment. This environment will mimic the natural conditions required for the eggs to progress through diapause.
3. Incubation Period: Depending on temperature and conditions, the eggs will undergo a diapause period that can last from several weeks to several months.
4. Hatching: To initiate hatching, rehydrate the substrate by gently adding a small amount of water. The eggs will then hatch, and the fry will emerge.

Raising Fry

Raising Aplocheilichthys normani fry is a crucial step in the breeding process and requires attention to feeding, water quality, and growth. Here’s how to care for the fry:

1. Feeding: Initially, the fry are very small and require tiny live foods such as infusoria or newly hatched brine shrimp. As they grow, you can gradually transition them to larger live and frozen foods.
2. Water Changes: Maintain excellent water quality by performing regular water changes. Norman’s Lampeye fry are sensitive to poor water conditions, so regular maintenance is crucial.
3. Growth Tank: Consider transferring the fry to a separate growth tank as they become more active and require more space.
4. Separating Fry: If you have a large number of fry, it may be necessary to separate them to prevent overcrowding and competition for food.

Conservation Status

The conservation status of Aplocheilichthys normani, or Norman’s Lampeye, is not well-documented, and these fish are not typically assessed for conservation status. However, as with many fish species, potential threats to their population in the wild may include habitat loss and degradation due to human activities, as well as the collection of wild individuals for the aquarium trade. While they may not be listed as endangered, it’s important to promote responsible breeding and conservation efforts to ensure the sustainability of their populations both in the wild and in captivity.

In conclusion, breeding Aplocheilichthys normani, or Norman’s Lampeye, is a rewarding and educational experience for aquarium enthusiasts. These fish are known for their striking colors, unique courtship behavior, and fascinating breeding process. By creating an appropriate tank environment, selecting healthy breeding stock, and carefully managing water conditions and care for the eggs and fry, you can enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of these fish. Breeding Norman’s Lampeye can also contribute to their conservation efforts and help promote responsible aquarium keeping and breeding practices, ensuring that these captivating fish continue to thrive in captivity and potentially support wild populations.