Buenos Aires Tetra | Hemigrammus caudovittatus

Characins / Characinae / Buenos Aires Tetra

Profile: Buenos Aires Tetra
Hemigrammus caudovittatus
SYN: None
PD: The body is brown to silver in color with the back darker than the belly. The upper part of the iris is red. In males, parts of all fins are red. The female's have light pink fins. A black stripe extends from the base of the tail to its apex. Also near the base tail, the color is lemon yellow. At the tips of the dorsal, anal, and pectoral fins is a white fringe.
SIZE: To 3" (7.5 cm)
SS: None
HAB: South America; watershed of the Rio de la Plata in Argentina and Paraguay
S: middle
TANK: 20" (50 cm) or 10 gallons (35 L). This fish cannot be kept in tanks that contain live plants as they will be eaten. Use plastic plants and rock formations for decoration. Leave large, open swimming areas and use a filter that creates strong current.
WATER: pH 5.5-8.5 (7.0), 2-35 dH (10), 64-86°F (18-30°C)
SB: A hardy active fish that is suitable for any beginner's community tank. Likes to school. Occasionally it may nip at long, flowing fins of other fishes.
SC: Small Doradids, Corydoras, Loricarids, some robust tetras, gouramis, barbs, danios.
FOOD: Flake; plant matter; live; insect larvae, Brine Shrimp, Tubifex, small aquatic insects.
SEX: Males are smaller and more colorful.
B: Easy to breed at 75°F (24°C). Spawning takes place among hardy plants and is stimulating by morning sun. The eggs hatch is 20-24 hours. Remove parents after they are laid. Start feeding with small live and dry foods.
BP: 4. The Buenos Aires Tetra is easily bred.
R: One of the most popular of all aquarium fishes. It was introduced in 1922, but has lost popularity because of its tendency to eat live plants.
DC: 1. A sturdy fish with the annoying habit of eating live plants