CHARACINS
CHARACIDAE FAMILY
The Characidae or Characin Family are found in numerous types of water throughout South America. These fish require lots of oxygen in the water and are sensitive to noise. Characins can be divided into subfamilies including Characidiinae, Characinae, and Serrasalminae.
CHARACIDIINAE SUB-FAMILY
The Characidiinae or Darter sub-family consists of the genus
Characidium and more than 50 species.
Darters
live near the substrate, usually in fast-flowing waters.
Darter Characin
Characidium
species
SYN: None
PD:
A fish with a relatively flat-bellied profile.
The body is elongated and the fish is
usually seen resting on its pectoral fins.
The body color depends on the species as does the body pattern.
The
fins are transparent on nearly all species.
SIZE: To 3" (8 cm)
SS: None
HAB: Clear streams in South America from the Rio de la Plata to the Orinoco.
S: bottom
TANK: 24" (60 cm) or 15 gallons (57 L).
The bottom should be fine gravel or,
better, sand.
Leave open areas.
Provide a moderate to strong current with good aeration.
WATER:
pH 5.5-7.5 (7.0), dH 2-25 (6), 64-81°F (18-27°C)
SB: A peaceful loner that should be kept singly or in large groups of eight or more fish.
If
kept in groups smaller than about eight, fish act aggressively.
Combine with small to medium-sized fish of upper
swimming levels.
An inquisitive fish, always investigating the tank floor.
SC: Tetras, Hatchetfish,
Corydoras, danios, barbs, gouramis.
FOOD: Tablets; live;
Tubifex, mosquito larvae, brine shrimp.
SEX: Females are slightly plumper and have a clear dorsal fin while males have spots around
their dorsal fin.
B:
Breeding the Darter is fairly easy.
A pair spawns on the bottom, laying side to side.
The
parents should be removed from the tank after the eggs are laid.
The 150 eggs fall between rocks and hatch after
30 to 40 hours.
The fry have very small mouths and should be raised on food tablets, infusoria, and
Artemia.
BP: 5.
Breeding is not difficult.
R: About 50
Characidium species have been described although distinguishing
between them is very difficult because of the subtle differences.
Color depends on what environment the
fish is found.
Fish with a greenish color are found in rivers with heavy vegetation, while dark bodied
specimen are found in rivers with dark rocks.
DC: 3.
A robust species, that is suitable for most community
tanks.