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Synonyms | Characodon eiseni |
Distribution | Mexico |
Maximum Size | 7cm (2.8") |
Temperature | 15-30°C |
Water Parameters | Will acclimatise to a wide range of conditions, although will be at their best in hard, alkaline water. pH: 6.5-8.0, dH: up to 20 degrees. |
Compatibility | Specialist community |
Lighting | No special requirements |
Sexual Dimorphism | Mature males are more colourful with an orange to red posterior half of the caudal peduncle. Males also develop a higher back and possess a modified anal fin known as an andropodium, which is used during reproduction. |
Feeding | Flake, granules, pellets, algae wafers and frozen foods |
Care
The Red-tailed Goodeid is known from a wide variety of shallow habitats including creeks, lakes, pools, rivers, and springs. The water may be clear or turbid, with little to moderate current (the fish preferring the more sluggish areas), and the substrate silty, sandy, or rocky. Plants are not found in any great abundance in these waters, but where sparse vegetation exists, it is primarily green algae and Ceratophyllum, Eichhornia, Lemna, Potamogeton, and Typha spp. The aquarium should be mature and as spacious as possible. The Red-tailed Goodeid is an active species that requires ample swimming space. It's behaviour can be somewhat unpredictable and a greater space and a plethora of visual barriers will help to minimise any belligerence. Provide plenty of hiding places amongst the decor, which could consist of tangles of driftwood, tree root ornaments, rocky caves, and areas of robust, dense planting - including floating species. Filtration should be efficient but water movement fairly gentle, and small frequent water changes will help keep nitrate to a minimum. Although some aquarists report success in keeping Red-tailed Goodeids alongside other fast-swimming, short-finned fish, others have found that tankmates have been injured or killed, so most concur that it is simply too risky. We would therefore suggest a species-only set-up for this confident, nippy species, with at least 2 males to every female to help disperse their amorosity. Keep as large a group as is possible (8 would be the minimum number recommended) as this will help to diffuse aggression by spreading it throughout the group so that no one fish is singled out and continually picked on. May also be seen on sale as Orange-tailed Goodeid or Redtail Splitfin.
Feeding
Flake, micropellets, small frozen foods such as bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, daphnia and vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, plus inclusion of a vegetable component such as green flake, lettuce, spinach and kale.
Breeding
These fish will reproduce in any well-kept aquarium. The male inseminates the female, and after 60 days she can be expected to release up to 50 surprisingly sizeable live young. The adults are not usually too much of a threat to the young (particularly in heavily planted aquaria), which can be as large as 15mm TL when born. Not surprisingly, the total number and size of fry will depend on the size of the adult female, and she will appear quite hollow bellied after giving birth. Attached underneath each fry will be their trophotaenia (similar to an umbilical cord) and these will disappear within 48-72 hours.
For delivery before Christmas, orders must be placed on or before 3pm on Wednesday 20th December. We cannot guarantee delivery of these orders pre-Christmas as we are reliant on our couriers, but will use our best endeavours to get orders placed on this date out to you before Christmas. For full details of our festive delivery and opening times click here
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