Page 102 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

100 FRESHWATER FISH DIRECTORY

Nematobrycon palmeri Phenacogrammus interruptus
Emperor Tetra Congo Tetra these fish best, helping to emphasize rather than
fade their body colors. Males are larger than
ORIGINS Northern South America, especially western ORIGINS Occurs in western Africa, in parts of the upper females and can have longer fins, which may be
parts of Colombia. Congo basin. ragged on occasions. Do not mix these fish with
SIZE 3 in (7.5 cm). SIZE 3 in (7.5 cm). fin-nipping species, since this can lead to serious
DIET Prepared foods and live foods. DIET Prepared foods and small live foods. problems. It is possible to persuade pairs of Congo
WATER Temperature 73–81°F (23–27°C); soft WATER Temperature 73–82°F (23–28°C); soft Tetras to spawn, but you will have more chance of
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.5). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0). success if you have a small shoal, since these fish
TEMPERAMENT Placid. Avoid boisterous companions. TEMPERAMENT Highly social but nervous. normally reproduce in a group. Adding blackwater
extract to the water to raise the tannic acid level
The true purple hue of these stunning tetras will The iridescence of Congo Tetras means that their will also help. The female may produce as many as
be most apparent in an aquarium with relatively appearance can change noticeably, depending on 300 eggs, typically quite early in the morning,
subdued lighting and floating plants at the surface the lighting conditions. Subdued lighting suits which will then take about five days to hatch.
to diffuse the light. If the aquarium is too bright,
their yellow coloration will be more dominant.
Male Emperor Tetras are usually larger and more
colorful than females. Provide cover on the floor
of the spawning tank; otherwise, the eggs are
likely to be eaten as they are laid.

Curved dorsal fin
indicates a male

Ladigesia roloffi Crenuchus spilurus
LIFE SPANS IN AQUARIUMS
Jelly Bean Tetra Sailfin Tetra
Most aquarium fish live longer than their
wild counterparts, provided they are ORIGINS The Yung River in West Africa, occurring in ORIGINS Northern South America, occurring in Guyana
correctly housed and fed. Modern diets have Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. and the middle Amazon.
reduced the risks of nutritional diseases that SIZE 1 ⁄2 in (4 cm). SIZE 2 ⁄2 in (6 cm).
1
1
could reduce their life span, and aquarium fish DIET Eats prepared foods and small live foods. DIET Fresh and thawed live foods preferred.
will not be at risk from predators if their WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22 –26°C); soft WATER Temperature 75-82°F (24–28°C); soft
tankmates are carefully chosen. This enables (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0).
small fish such as tetras to come close to TEMPERAMENT Placid shoaler. TEMPERAMENT Keep singly or in pairs.
attaining their maximum life span. Members of
the Nematobrycon genus, such as these Female has a short, Sexing these tetras is simple; males are larger
Emperor Tetras, are typically the longest-lived straight anal fin and have more prominent dorsal fins than
tetras, living for up to six years in aquariums. females. Sailfins are predators. They usually eat
invertebrates, but they consume any smaller fish
sharing their tank, especially fry. Pairs spawn
seasonally on flat rocks in the wild, guarding
the eggs until they hatch and wafting water
over them with their ventral fins.
Jelly Bean Tetras are so called because of their size Raised dorsal
and shape. One of the less commonly encountered fin of male
tetra species, they are not difficult to keep, as long
as the aquarium’s water chemistry is very similar
to that which they encounter in the wild. Fading
of the red from their fins is a sign that
conditions are less than ideal. The tank must be
covered, because Jelly Bean Tetras can jump well,
and it should include floating plants to give shade.
Pairs will spawn on a layer of aquarium peat.

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