Tetra Fish – South American Green Darter Tropical Tetra

Description

Size: 3″ max

• pH: 5.5 – 7.5
• dH: 2 – 25
• Temp: 64 – 81F,
• Origin: Clear streams in South America from the Rio de la Plata
• Additives: Black Water Expert found at Aquarium Supplements
• Food: New Life Spectrum “Small Fish Formula or H20 Stable Wafers” found at Fish Foods

Darter tetras or South American Green darters, are members of a family of characin fish called crenuchids, a subfamily called the Characidiinae (characidiins) that includes nine genera and more than 70 species. Unlike most tetras which live in mid to top waters, darters are bottom dwellers and hop around on the aquarium floor.
Darters are found in most freshwater drainages in the tropical and sub-tropical parts of the neotropics between eastern Panama & Argentina. These are not particularly common fish, but surprisingly easy to keep!

Habitat: Most darters are found in fast flowing waters and usually hover over stones, pebbles & rocks on the river bed, in waterfalls and rapids, while a handful also occur on submerged plants. Some also live in slow flowing lowland rivers. Their shape and position and style of their fins are an adaptation for life in torrential water and allow them to resist the current, and hang around near the bottom from where they can forage for food among the stones.

The stunning green Ammocryptocharax elegans have modified pectorals that grip the leaves of plants allowing them to stay put in very fast currents. Most adopt a sit and wait technique, perching on rocks and stones in fast flowing water waiting for any food items to drift past them.

The darter is a peaceful fish that will prefer to live in a group of six or more. Safe in the community tank, they pose little threat to other tank mates. Males usually have darker markings on their fins than females, and are usually much smaller and slimmer, or a tad more colorful.

Combine with small to medium-sized fish of upper swimming levels. An inquisitive fish, always investigating the tank floor. Yes, these will nibble on algae!!! Breeding the Hummingbird is fairly easy. A pair spawns on the bottom, laying side to side. The parents should be removed from the tank after the eggs are laid. The 150 eggs fall between rocks and hatch after 30 to 40 hours. The fry have very small mouths and should be raised on food tablets, infusoria, and Artemia. A robust species, that is suitable for most community tanks!

Size at shipping: about 1.5 – 2″ SHIPS GREAT!