Powder-Blue Lampeye (Procatopus gracilis)

Overview

Powder-Blue Lampeye (Procatopus gracilis) is a small African lampeye with a bright blue sheen, clear reflective eyes and fast, elegant movement near the upper levels of the aquarium. It is best chosen by keepers who enjoy specialist shoaling fish rather than by anyone looking for a hardy beginner species. The fish offered here are normally supplied at around 3.5-4 cm, already large enough to show the powder-blue body colour that makes this form so attractive in a planted aquarium.

The name Procatopus gracilis is still widely used in the aquarium trade, including by suppliers, so we keep it in the product title for customers searching for this fish. Current taxonomic references treat Procatopus gracilis as a junior synonym of Procatopus aberrans, so the husbandry below follows the more demanding Procatopus aberrans care profile rather than treating this as an easy community filler.

Exact Fish And Photo

This listing now includes the original reference photo for SKU 5250, alongside the existing aquarium-scene images. The source photo is useful because Powder-Blue Lampeyes can look different under different lighting: in a bright tank they show an icy blue to blue-green flash across the body, while in shaded planted areas the fins and reflective eye become more noticeable.

Appearance

Expect a slender, streamlined lampeye shape with a semi-transparent body, reflective blue sides and a noticeable glowing eye. Mature males usually show stronger colour, more fin display and a livelier posture when kept with females, while females tend to be softer in colour. Good lighting makes the blue reflection stand out, but the fish still appreciate planted cover, darker background areas and shaded breaks so they can settle without feeling exposed.

Natural Habitat

The accepted species complex is associated with small rivers, brooks and creeks in Nigeria and Cameroon, often in forest or forest-savannah settings. These are not stagnant puddle fish. They are stream-oriented lampeyes that do best in clean, oxygen-rich water with gentle to moderate flow and stable chemistry. In the aquarium this means mature filtration, regular maintenance, careful acclimation and a tank that has been running long enough to avoid ammonia or nitrite swings.

Quick Facts

• Current supply size: approximately 3.5-4 cm
• Adult planning size: up to about 5.5 cm in the accepted species profile
• Care level: difficult / advanced freshwater fish
• Temperament: peaceful, active and best in a group
• Tank region: upper to middle water
• Minimum aquarium: around 60 litres for a small group, larger if mixing with other active fish
• Temperature: 24-26°C
• pH: about 6.5-7.5
• Hardness: roughly 5-15 dGH

Aquarium Setup

A mature planted aquarium suits this species best. Use a dark substrate or darker background to show the blue colour, add fine-leaved plants, Anubias, mosses, floating cover and open upper-water swimming space. Filtration should be strong enough to keep the water polished and oxygenated, but not so turbulent that the fish are constantly pushed around. A small powerhead or directed filter return can help create a stream-like area if the tank layout also gives quieter planted edges.

A tight lid is essential. Lampeyes are quick surface fish and can jump when startled, especially during maintenance, netting or new introductions. Keep nitrate low, avoid sudden temperature or pH swings, and acclimate slowly. This is not a fish to add to a brand-new aquarium or a tank with inconsistent maintenance.

Feeding

Powder-Blue Lampeyes take small foods from the water column and surface. Offer a varied diet of fine quality flakes or micro granules supported with frozen or live daphnia, baby brine shrimp, cyclops, mosquito larvae and other small foods. They have small mouths, so avoid large pellets that sink quickly past them. Feed modest portions and keep water quality high; overfeeding is one of the easiest ways to spoil the stable conditions these fish need.

Behaviour And Tank Mates

Keep them in a group, ideally six or more, because the colour, confidence and movement are much better when they have company of their own kind. Males may display, but the species is peaceful and should not be kept with aggressive, predatory or boisterous tank mates. Suitable companions are small peaceful fish that like similar clean, oxygen-rich water and will not outcompete them at feeding time. Avoid fin nippers, large cichlids, fast surface bullies and any fish big enough to view them as food.

Breeding Notes

Procatopus breeding is possible but should be treated as a specialist project. Condition adults with small live and frozen foods, provide fine spawning media or dense plants, and protect eggs and fry from adults. The fry are tiny and need very small first foods. Because water quality matters so much, breeding attempts are more successful in a stable, mature species setup than in a busy mixed community tank.

Who This Fish Is Best For

This is a beautiful choice for an experienced keeper who wants a rare-looking African lampeye and is willing to maintain clean, oxygen-rich water. It is not the best first fish for a new aquarium. Choose it if you can provide a covered planted tank, steady maintenance, careful acclimation and a peaceful group environment.

Acclimation And Group Buying

For best results, add the group to a stable aquarium rather than buying one or two individuals as a token top-dweller. A settled group spreads display behaviour, reduces nervous darting and gives the males a reason to colour up. Keep transport lights low, float and acclimate patiently, then release into a tank with plants close to the surface so the fish can pause and orient themselves. During the first week, feed lightly, watch breathing and posture, and avoid large maintenance changes unless water testing shows a real problem.

Delivery And Guarantee

Powder-Blue Lampeyes are packed carefully for UK live-animal courier delivery. Use code WELCOME10 for 10% off a first order where eligible, and order with our Live Arrival Guarantee. As with all delicate small fish, have the aquarium ready before dispatch day, dim the lights during introduction and acclimate slowly so the group can settle with minimal stress.

Source Notes

Care guidance for this listing was checked against our stock records, FishBase, Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes, GBIF-linked taxonomy context and specialist aquarium references for Procatopus. The page keeps the supplier/trade name Procatopus gracilis visible while explaining the accepted-name relationship naturally for customers who research the fish before buying.

Care Table For Quick Planning

Water And Feeding Table

Compatibility Table

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