Krieg's Odontostilbe

Odontostilbe kriegi is a small, active characid from the Paraguay basin of Bolivia and Paraguay. Its compressed, silver body bears subtle yellowish fin tints and a faint lateral stripe. It forms tight, energetic schools in the wild and maintains this behavior in the aquarium, providing constant mid-water movement. An adaptable species that does well in a range of community setups, it is largely underappreciated despite its ease of care. It works well alongside dwarf cichlids, corydoras, and other small to medium South American species. An excellent choice for hobbyists who enjoy active schools without demanding species-specific water parameters.

Water: pH 6.0–7.5, temperature 22–27 °C; soft to moderately hard. Tolerant. Tank: 50 L minimum; open mid-water swimming with plant borders. Good filtration. Feeding: Omnivore; micro-pellets, flake, frozen daphnia, baby brine shrimp, and cyclops. Breeding: Egg-scatterer; soft neutral water. Relatively easy. Compatibility: Peaceful; suitable for most South American community setups.