Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Peaceful

The Tiger Teddy is an incredibly peaceful, somewhat shy fish that avoids conflict. They are generally peaceful towards their own kind, though males may display to each other. They require plenty of hiding spaces to feel secure and display their natural behaviors.

Diet

Omnivore

These micro-predators primarily feed on tiny invertebrates and zooplankton in the wild. In the aquarium, they readily accept finely crushed flakes, micro-pellets, and powdered fry food. Supplementing their diet with small live foods like microworms and baby brine shrimp is highly beneficial.

Sex ratio

Specific M:F ratio

A ratio of one male to two or three females is highly recommended. Males are very active and can persistently harass a single female. A proper ratio helps distribute the male's attention and reduces stress among the females.

Feeding frequency

Twice daily

Due to their small stomachs and high metabolism, they benefit from frequent feedings. It is best to offer them small meals two to three times a day. Ensure that all food is consumed within a few minutes to prevent water quality issues.

Bioload

Low

This tiny livebearer produces a minimal amount of waste due to its very small size. It has a negligible impact on the nitrogen cycle in a well-maintained, planted aquarium. Regular maintenance is still required, but it places very little stress on the biological filter.

Flow

Stagnant

They originate from sluggish waters with very little to no current. A gentle flow from a sponge filter is ideal for their setup. Strong currents will exhaust them and should be completely avoided in their aquarium.

Jump risk

No

Reproduction

Viviparous

They are prolific livebearers that reproduce via superfetation, dropping a few fry every few days rather than a large batch at once. Providing dense vegetation allows the tiny fry to hide from adults. Breeding is straightforward and requires no special intervention from the aquarist.

Compatibility & tankmates

Community

They are extremely peaceful micro-fish that do best in a species-only setup. They can also be kept with other tiny, peaceful tank mates like dwarf shrimp. Avoid keeping them with larger or fast-swimming species that might outcompete them for food or predate on them.

Tank level

Middle

They spend the majority of their time in the middle and lower levels of the water column. They enjoy darting among fine-leaved plants and exploring the substrate. They rarely visit the surface unless it is feeding time.