Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

A fish with a peaceful and markedly gregarious temperament, which best expresses its natural behavior when kept in large groups of at least 8-10 individuals. They tend to occupy the upper and middle sections of the water column. A well-planted environment with filtered light will significantly reduce their natural shyness.

Diet

Omnivore

They are carnivorous micro-predators that in nature feed on zooplankton and insects that fall into the water. In the aquarium, they require small protein foods such as daphnia, live or frozen brine shrimp, and small insects, though they also accept dry flake foods. The combination of live and high-quality dry food ensures intense coloration and a strong immune system.

Sex ratio

Group

A ratio of multiple females to a single male is strongly advised to maintain harmony within a group of Natterer's splash tetras. The males are highly driven to spawn and will constantly display to and chase the females in the aquarium. Spreading this reproductive attention across several females prevents extreme exhaustion and potential health decline in the females. A group of at least six individuals, heavily skewed towards females, provides the best behavioral outcomes.

Feeding frequency

Twice daily

It is recommended to feed them 1 or 2 times daily, paying attention not to exceed the quantities. Frequent but small meals are ideal for preventing digestion-related problems and ensuring that all food is consumed before sinking. Uneaten leftovers on the bottom should be promptly removed to avoid pollutant spikes.

Bioload

Natterer's splash tetra contributes a very light bioload to the aquarium ecosystem due to its diminutive size. They are light eaters that require fine granular foods or small live foods, which translate to very little physical waste. A heavily planted tank paired with gentle filtration will effortlessly process their metabolic output. As with most small tetras, the primary risk to water quality comes from uneaten food rather than the fish's own biological processes.

Flow

Stagnant

This species prefers calm waters with a weak to moderate water flow, typical of the slow forest streams in the Amazon basin. Too strong currents force the fish into fatiguing swimming, increasing their stress and reducing reproductive activity. It is good to shield the filter outlet using dense vegetation or submerged wood.

Reproduction

Oviparous

Reproduction is based on submerged spawning, where eggs are attached to leaves of aquatic plants or roots near the surface. The male establishes a small, temporary territory around the chosen site and guards the eggs, attacking intruders. The use of a dedicated tank with very soft and acidic water is recommended to maximize hatching success.

Compatibility & tankmates

Extremely peaceful, they are ideal companions for community aquariums containing quiet and similarly sized fish. They cohabit perfectly with cardinal tetras, small dwarf cichlids, otocinclus, and pencilfish. Because of their shy behavior, they should never be housed with large or aggressive tankmates that could frighten them.

Tank level

Middle

Middle-Surface