Page 104 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

102 FRESHWATER FISH DIRECTORY

Nannaethiops unitaeniatus Mimagoniates microlepis Aphyocharax anisitsi
One-Lined African Tetra Croaking Tetra Argentine Bloodfin

ORIGINS Equatorial Africa, occurring in the Niger, ORIGINS Southern South America, distributed ORIGINS Southern South America, where it is restricted
Congo, and Nile Rivers. throughout southeastern Brazil. to the Rio Parana in Argentina.
1
SIZE 3 in (7.5 cm). SIZE 2 ⁄4 in (5.5 cm). SIZE 2 in (5 cm).
DIET Prepared foods, live foods, and vegetable matter. DIET Flake and small live foods. DIET Flake and small live foods.
WATER Temperature 73–79°F (23–26°C); soft WATER Temperature 66–77°F (19–25°C); soft WATER Temperature 64–82°F (18–28°C); soft
(50–100 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.5). (50–100 mg/l) and around neutral (pH 7.0).
TEMPERAMENT Placid and social. TEMPERAMENT Placid and social. TEMPERAMENT Placid and social.
The soft blue coloration of these tetras is especially
Dark line extends Prominent
into caudal fin scaling apparent in males, which are slightly larger than
females and have longer fins when full-grown.
Males are unusual in that they attract females by
releasing chemical messengers called pheromones
from a gland located at the base of the caudal
fin. Live foods such as mosquito larvae are a
valuable conditioning food; the tetras subsequently
spawn among vegetation. Croaking Tetras can
make croaking sounds via their air bladder.
In this species, the sexes may be distinguished only
when the fish are in spawning condition; at this The blood-red coloration on the fins of this tetra is
time, males develop red areas on the upper part of not a consistent feature and is more pronounced
the caudal fin and on the square-shaped dorsal fin. in some individuals than others. Male fish have a
The odd, jerky swimming motion of these tetras is hook on their anal fin. Pairs spawn quite readily
perfectly normal. Provide fine-leaved plants in the among vegetation, but the adults will rapidly eat
spawning tank, among which females will lay up to the eggs, numbering several hundred, if they get
500 eggs. Hatching takes two days, and the fry are the chance. Argentine Bloodfins are easy to keep
free-swimming five days later. and have a life expectancy of more than 10 years.

Neolebias ansorgii Astyanax mexicanus
Ansorge’s Neolebias lacks an adipose fin. The more brightly colored Blind Cave Tetra
male, pictured below, has a reddish-orange body,
ORIGINS Central equatorial Africa, where it is found in with a darker stripe along the side and a black spot ORIGINS Central America, restricted to the San Luis
shallow pools in Angola and Cameroon. at the base of the tail. This coloration is improved Potosi region of Mexico.
SIZE 1 ⁄2 in (3.5 cm). by subdued lighting conditions and a dark base in SIZE 3 ⁄2 in (9 cm).
1
1
DIET Flake and small live foods. the aquarium. Ansorge’s Neolebias is best kept in DIET Prepared foods and small live foods.
WATER Temperature 75–82°F (24–28°C); soft a single-species tank. It naturally inhabits shallow WATER Temperature 64–82°F (18–28°C); hard
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.5). pools, so make sure the water is no more than (100–150 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5).
TEMPERAMENT Placid and social. 8 in (20 cm) deep. The breeding tank should have TEMPERAMENT Placid and social.
a peat-covered base, on which the fish will spawn.
Although this is the most colorful fish in its genus, Hatching occurs within a day, and the young will Skin-covered eye
it has never been very popular with aquarists. need a fry food at first. The new generation will be
Unusually for a characoid, Ansorge’s Neolebias ready to breed when the fish are seven months old.

Pink color results from blood
flowing around the body
Blind because they live in darkness in the wild,
these fish should be kept in an aquarium decorated
with slate, devoid of plants, and lit by a nighttime
fluorescent tube. A single-species setup is
preferable, and some vegetable matter should be
provided in the diet. Eggs will be scattered over
a suitable spawning mop, after which the adults
must be removed to protect the eggs.

US_102-103_Other_Family.indd 102 29/08/18 4:09 PM