Care
A popular community fish, little is known of wild Lemon tetras but they appear to be encountered in the smaller streams and flood waters that provide shelter in the form of waterlogged wood, fringing vegetation and aquatic plant growth breaking up areas of open water.
The Lemon tetra is a beautiful, peaceful community species which is best kept in groups of 6 or more. They may not always show their best colours in shop stock tanks, but once settled into the home aquarium, their yellow tones will intensify, especially when kept in blackwater set ups. As with many deeper-bodied tetras, social behaviour usually features males defending their personal space against rivals and displaying to passing females. Generations of captive breeding have produced sturdy, adaptable fish that are suitable for a range of aquaria including those housing large non-predatory cichlids such as eartheaters.
After decades of popularity as an aquarium pet, the mystery of this fish's wild origin was discovered in 1980 when they were found in the Tapajos river basin, although this might be an account of the closely-related form currently traded as the Orange lemon tetra. Subsequently they've been reported from the Xingu, which may be a more accurate observation for this familiar species. An albino variety is also available.
Feeding
Will accept flake, micropellets and frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, brineshrimp and daphnia.
Breeding
Can be a little tricky as females sometimes have difficulty expelling their eggs. To overcome this, many breeders will use one male and several females in the breeding aquarium. Spawning commences at first light and eggs are normally scattered over fine-leaved plants.
