One-line Tetra

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to northern South America, including Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, the Guianas, and the Amazon basin. Inhabits slow streams, ponds, and flooded grasslands.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Belonging to the family Characidae. Features a slightly deeper body than some other members of the genus. Grows to 5.0 cm.

Social Behavior: Active, peaceful, and schooling. Occupies the middle and upper regions of the water column. Keeping a school of 8 or more is required to encourage natural social behavior.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Body is translucent silvery-grey. Its defining feature is a prominent black diagonal line flanked by a white edge on the anal fin. Females are noticeably rounder when mature.

Aquarium Setup: An 80-liter tank with planted borders and plenty of open water for swimming. A dark background and substrate will highlight the monochrome markings of the fins.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous. Readily accepts flakes, small pellets, and freeze-dried foods. Supplement with live or frozen foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms.

Water Quality: Exceptionally hardy. Tolerates pH values between 5.5 and 7.5, and water hardness from 5 to 15 dGH. Temperature should range from 23 to 28 °C.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Excellent community fish. Can be kept with other tetras, rasboras, corydoras, small gouramis, and peaceful cichlids.

Aquarium Breeding: Egg scatterer. Spawns easily in soft water under dimmed light. Fine spawning grids or moss should be used, and parents must be removed post-spawning.

Risks and Diseases: Highly resilient to common aquarium ailments, but still benefits from regular maintenance and a stable, mature filter system.