Parasphaerichthys lineatus

A tiny fish with a dark longitudinal flank stripe and no central eyespot. Courting males may briefly show a black head and orange rear body; females are larger.

Adult length

Up to 1.9 cm (standard length, without the tail fin)

Water temperature

22–27 °C

pH

6.5–8

Hardness

2–12 dGH

Natural habitat

Its type locality is a shallow pool in the northern Ayeyarwady delta, Myanmar, with clear water, mud and dense aquatic plants including lotus and water hyacinth.

Slow and shy, it can be intimidated or outcompeted for food by larger fish. Keep clear, slow-flowing water rather than an intense blackwater setup.