Care and maintenance of the tetra fish

The tetra aquarium fish adapts well to home conditions. Recently, aquarium fish enthusiasts have become increasingly reluctant to acquire this species, which is unfortunate. The fish is quite undemanding, although it lacks vibrant coloring.

If you're not a professional aquarium fishkeeper, or even just a beginner, the tetra is a perfect choice for your aquarium. This fish doesn't require any special care or climate conditions.

The black tetra is found in the wild. This species can be seen off the coast of South America. It lives in Paraguay and Brazil.

What does the common tetra look like?

The body shape is diamond-shaped with rounded edges. The black tetra looks flat., as the body is compressed laterally. The lower fin is much larger than the dorsal fin, framing almost the entire lower body of the fish. The tail is colorless and transparent and forked. In adults, the anal (lower) and dorsal fins are jet black. A characteristic feature of this fish is three fairly wide vertical black stripes.

If you look at a photo of tetras, you can clearly see that the first stripe runs through the fish's eye, the second is located near the gills, and the third starts from the dorsal fin. To maintain this dark color of the stripes, the fish should be kept in a dark placeIn the light the color fades and turns silver.

1. The black tetra is small. In an aquarium, it doesn't grow more than 4 cm. In the wild, it reaches 6 cm.
2. The fish's eyes are yellow.
3. The tetra lives in an aquarium for no more than 3–4 years.

Be careful with any additives in water. The tetra was called an indicator fish.It changes color when the water composition changes. Individuals can range from silvery-transparent to jet-black. Color change is influenced by stress, water temperature, and water quality. The black tetra only returns to its original color when conditions return to normal.

By the color of the fish It is easy to distinguish between male and femaleThe male has a bright coloration, with clearly defined black lines. The female's coloration is pale and washed out. The dorsal fin also indicates gender. The female's fin tip is rounded, while the male's is pointed. The female is slightly larger than the male.

Care and maintenance of tetras in an aquarium

The black tetra is quite peaceful. However, it is still preferable to keep it in an aquarium without its veiltail counterparts, as the black tetra may bite their tails.

This fish loves to swim in a school. It's crucial to provide it with enough space to swim in the middle layers of the aquarium. If its habitat is small, the tetra will constantly hide among the vegetation. It will only be visible during feeding time.

Favorable conditions for keeping tetras in a home aquarium

In order for the fish to be given proper care, a number of conditions must be met.

• There should be not just one tetra in the aquarium, but a school of 6-8 fish.
• The volume of the reservoir must be at least 80 liters.
• Be sure to use coarse river sand for the soil.
• The entire bottom of the aquarium should be densely planted. Proper algae care is crucial.
• Fish prefer warm water. The temperature should not fall below +22 to +26°C.
• Water hardness should be no more than 20.
• Change the water in the aquarium at least 1-2 times a week. Allow the water to settle. You don't have to change all the water; simply add clean water periodically.
• Besides tetras, other aquarium fish can be kept in the same tank. Tetras get along well with guppies, swordtails, mollies, and ancistrus.

Breeders have developed a new type of tetra – caramel. the fish has a unique coloring that is created artificiallyCaramels come in blue, red, and yellow. However, be prepared for the coloring pigment to fade after about six months.

Breeding tetras in an aquarium

The black tetra becomes a sexually mature adult when it reaches 8–12 months.

To ensure favorable spawning conditions, the tetras should be provided with comfortable conditions. Reproduction will occur if the following rules are observed.

1. The water layer is not less than 25 cm.
2. The temperature should be increased to 26–28°C.
3. Aquarium water should be soft and well oxygenated.
4. To prevent the parents from destroying the eggs during the breeding process, a special net should be placed on the bottom of the aquarium. You can also plant the bottom with densely growing plants.
5. For breeding you need to use one pair of fish or a school.
6. Two weeks before spawning, males and females should be separated. They should be kept in separate tanks. During this time, they should be fed generously with live food.
7. First, the male is placed in the spawning ground, and after 3 hours, the female.

If you have an aquarium at home and you love fish, and still don't know what kind to get The common tetra is perfect for this occasion. Get one, and you'll never regret it.