The Upper Amazon River basin in Peru. Most specimens offered for sale in the aquatics trade are captive-bred.
Maximum Size
4.5cm (1.8")
Temperature
23-27°C
Water Parameters
Captive-bred specimens will acclimatise to a wide range of conditions. pH: 6-7, dH: up to 18 degrees.
Compatibility
Community
Lighting
No special requirements
Sexual Dimorphism
Mature females are fuller bodied. Males with a more pointed swim bladder.
Feeding
Flake, granules and frozen foods
Description
Care
A peaceful species ideally suited to the community aquarium. Due to its shoaling nature, the Pretty Tetra should be maintained in groups of 6 or more. The aquarium should be well-planted at the back and sides, allowing a more open swimming space in the centre. Occasionally males may try to hassle gravid females, so plenty of hiding places can provide welcome shelter.
Recent taxonomic work has put this species in the genus Holopristis and this changes the gender of the specific name as well.
Feeding
Flake, micropellets, frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, brineshrimp and daphnia.
Breeding
Pairs are not always compatible. If yours fail to spawn in the breeding aquarium, try replacing the male with another. The water should be soft and acidic (peat filtration suggested) with fine-leaved plants for the fish to spawn over. Once the female is exhausted of eggs, remove the parents to prevent predation. The eggs should hatch between 24-36 hours later and are free-swimming after 2-3 days. Start feeding with infusoria, followed by baby brineshrimp after a week.
Where can I buy these aquarium fish?
If you like this species and would like to find out more, we have an enormous range of aquarium fish and invertebrates available to buy in all of our stores across the UK (including freshwater tropical and marine fish).
However, please note that this species may not be available in your chosen store, even if the store specialises in this particular species. This is due to seasonality and stock availability from store-to-store. Please check with your local store about availability of specific species to purchase before making a journey.
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
Please note: online orders placed after 3pm on Friday 22nd December will not be dispatched until the New Year. For full details of our festive delivery and opening times click here
