Balbus Tetra
Psalidodon balbus
The Balbus Tetra originates from cool, clear Andean mountain streams. Thriving outside typical blackwater setups, it requires strong flow, round pebbles, robust plants, and open central swimming space.
Température de l’eau
22 - 26 °C
Valeur du pH
6 - 7.5
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Milieu
Taille adulte
4,5 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 80 L
Groupe minimal
10
GH
2 - 12 dGH
KH
2 - 10 dKH
TDS
50 - 280 ppm
Conductivité
78 - 438 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Species native to the Andean region of South America, found in mountain and foothill basins (often in Peru). Inhabits cool, clear, and well-oxygenated streams with stony bottoms, rarely associated with warm black waters.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Balbus Tetra (Psalidodon balbus). Stocky rhomboidal shape. Typical morphology of hardy Characidae, with a powerful caudal fin to move in more lively currents compared to Amazonian relatives.
Social Behavior: Very active and gregarious. Swims tirelessly in a compact school through the open areas of the aquarium. It is a self-confident species, less prone to hiding if placed in groups of at least 10 individuals.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Rather understated but fascinating: iridescent silvery body with coppery or pale yellow hues, semi-transparent fins, and an obvious dark mark at the base of the tail. Males are slightly smaller and slimmer than females.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Does not require the typical Blackwater setup of other tetras. Prefers aquariums with strong water flow, rich in round pebbles, knotty wood, and robust plants (e.g. Anubias). Lots of central space for free swimming.
Diet and Feeding: Generalist omnivore. Accepts any industrial food from the start. To maintain vigorous health, the diet must range from high-quality flakes, freeze-dried tubifex, frozen bloodworms, and occasional vegetable supplements.
Water Quality: Tolerates (and prefers) slightly cooler temperatures than average (22-26°C / 72-79°F). Adapts to neutral or weakly acidic pH (6.0-7.5) and withstands moderate hardness (GH up to 12). Abundant oxygen is appreciated.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Excellent community fish (dither fish) for temperate aquariums. Splendid companion for "cool" Corydoras (e.g. C. paleatus, C. panda) and mountain Loricariids (e.g. Chaetostoma). Absolutely harmless.
Aquarium Breeding: Classic pelagic scatterers. Must be conditioned with live insects and cool temperatures. They spawn in the early morning on fine plant filaments. Removal of parents is essential post-spawning.
Risks and Diseases: Extremely robust, it is rarely afflicted by diseases if kept in adequate hygienic conditions. Avoid temperatures consistently above 28°C (82°F), which accelerate its metabolism, stressing it lethally.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Species native to the Andean region of South America, found in mountain and foothill basins (often in Peru). Inhabits cool, clear, and well-oxygenated streams with stony bottoms, rarely associated with warm black waters.
Origine
Amazonie, Orénoque et GuyanesAsie de l'Est
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- This is a highly peaceful and somewhat shy species that thrives in a calm environment. They are a schooling fish that relies on the presence of conspecifics to feel safe and exhibit their best behavior. When kept in sufficiently large groups, they are active and inquisitive without ever bothering tank mates.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- This species is an opportunistic omnivore that will easily accept a wide variety of aquarium foods. A staple diet of high-quality flakes or pellets should be provided daily. For optimal health and coloration, supplement with frozen or live foods such as bloodworms and brine shrimp.
- Espérance de vie
- 3-5 years
- Taille adulte
- 4.5 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- School
- Maintaining a proper sex ratio is less critical for this species compared to some others, as they are a schooling fish. Keeping them in groups of at least eight to ten individuals ensures natural behavior and reduces stress. Having a mix of males and females can help diffuse any minor squabbles among displaying males.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- These active fish benefit from multiple small feedings throughout the day rather than one large meal. Feeding them two to three times daily with amounts they can consume in under two minutes is ideal. This schedule helps prevent bloating and keeps water parameters stable by reducing uneaten food.
- Charge biologique
- Low
- This species produces a very minimal bioload due to its small physical size. It is highly suitable for smaller aquariums or heavily planted setups. However, standard filtration and regular water changes remain essential.
- Courant
- Stagnant
- Originating from slow-moving tributaries and forested pools, they prefer gentle to moderate water currents. High flow environments can quickly exhaust these fish and cause them significant stress. A sponge filter or a baffled hang-on-back filter provides the perfect amount of water movement.
- Risque de saut
- No
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- They are egg scatterers that do not provide any parental care to their offspring after spawning. To encourage breeding, a separate tank with soft, slightly acidic water and fine-leaved plants is required. Once eggs are laid and fertilized, the adult fish must be removed promptly to prevent them from eating the eggs.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Peaceful
- This species is exceptionally peaceful and does well in community tanks with other small, non-aggressive fish. They should never be kept with large or boisterous species that might view them as food. Ideal tank mates include small rasboras, Corydoras catfish, and peaceful dwarf cichlids.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Middle
- This species primarily occupies the middle region of the aquarium water column during normal activities. They are active swimmers that appreciate ample open swimming space in the center of the tank. They will frequently dart in and out of plant thickets or hardscape for cover when resting.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3 ± 0,3 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.00741, b = 3.04
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
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