Logo Encyclo-Fish
francais anglais

Freshwater   Fishes

Blind cave fish
(Astyanax mexicanus)

Blind cave fish

Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)

  • None

Names

Scientific name
Astyanax mexicanus
Astyanax argentatus
Tetragonopterus mexicanus

Common name
Mexican tetra
Blind cave fish

Origin

what are its countries of origin?

Origin: Mexico, Guatemala, USA
Biotope: none

Dimorphism

what are the physical differences between males and females?

The male is smaller and slimmer than the female

Group

Group

Characidae

Volume

what is the minimum volume for this species?

100 L / 22 imp gal / 26 US gal

Parameters

what are the water parameters for the maintenance of this fish?

T°: 20 to 25°C or 68 to 77°F
pH: 6.5 to 8
Hardness: 10 to 20°dGH

Difficulty

Difficulty

Easy

Size

what is the maximum size of this fish?

9 cm (3.5") to 12 cm (4.7")

Longevity

what is the average Longevity of this fish?

4 years

Living zone

in which area of the aquarium does this fish live?

Middle and Depth

Individuals

sociability of the species

8 or more

Food

How to feed the Blind cave fish?

Food

How to feed the Blind cave fish?

Omnivorous: live prey or artificial food, with occasional planting (eg poached salad).

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Blind cave fish have?

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Blind cave fish have?

Cavernous fish, which lives ideally in the dark. it searches the ground for food. it is sometimes found in the nature along with several hundred individuals. In the aquarium, opt for at least 8 congeners, but the more they will be numerous and the better they will feel. However, they will not form a shoal for their movement, but only for the taking of the meal. They are incredibly fast and catching them in the net is not easy.

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Blind cave fish?

Cohabitation

Who can live with the Blind cave fish?

Sociable, it can live in a community bac. it will however be more comfortable in a specific tank due to the special living conditions it requires (temperature, decoration, very low light). Associate with it species with swimming rather fast.

Sometimes, it may seem to you that the Blind Tetra attacks other fish during food distribution, but this is more due to its prey-seeking technique than to actual aggression.

You can associate Danios to them, but avoid too calm fish like Scalars.

Breeding

How to breed the Blind cave fish?

Breeding

How to breed the Blind cave fish?

The breeding of the Tetra blind is quite easy when one respects some primordial conditions. Place in a spawning tank (50/100L or 11/22 imp gal or 13/26 US gal) equipped with a protective grid, a male and a female. The temperature will be around 18/20°C (64/68°F).

Introduce the couple in the evening, the spawn will be normally the next morning. If the eggs are visible, remove the parents after laying. If you still do not see eggs after 24 hours, remove the pair and try another pair. The laying can reach 1000 eggs. The incubation lasts between 18 to 24 hours.

The fry have small eyes that will be covered with a layer of connective tissue as the fish grow. They must be fed infusoria, artemia nauplii and cyclops, or dried products of appropriate size.

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Blind cave fish?

Its aquarium

Which aquarium for the Blind cave fish?

Its ideal aquarium is specific. It consists of sand (if possible dark), pebbles and rock, without plants. The water is quite cold (20°C (68°F)). You can build your aquarium like a cave, which will remind it of its natural habitat. For example, placing large rocks or slate plates at the bottom and sides. Decorate the center with smaller rocks leaving free swimming spaces near the sand. Prefer soft lighting (it seems that neon red or blue are particularly effective). The current should obviously be weak.

aquarium for Blind cave fish

Example of aquarium decor adapted to the Blind cave fish

Good To know

Find all additional information!

Good To know

Find all additional information!

It is one of the largest species of Tetra.

The beginners can maintain this species without much difficulty, it is quite robust.

They are completely blind, but their sense of smell and touch are particularly developed. It moves and feeds thanks to its lateral line (sensory organ located along the flanks and allowing to perceive the vibrations of the water).

Interestingly, it increases its swimming speed in a new environment containing objects it does not recognize. It increases the stimulation of the lateral line, allowing it to absorb information more quickly. We now know that the fish actually produces a detailed spatial map of its environment that it memorizes fairly quickly.

It is often mistaken for Astyanax jordani, who looks like it in every way but has normal eyes. This species remains less popular than the blind form.

Yours photos!

Comments

Sort by:

Please login to post comments

back to the top