Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)
Names
Scientific name
Astyanax mexicanus
Astyanax argentatus
Tetragonopterus mexicanus
Common name
Mexican tetra
Blind cave fish
Origin
Origin: Mexico, Guatemala, USA
Biotope: none
Dimorphism
The male is smaller and slimmer than the female
Group
Characidae
Volume
100 L / 22 imp gal / 26 US gal
Parameters
T°: 20 to 25°C or 68 to 77°F
pH: 6.5 to 8
Hardness: 10 to 20°dGH
Difficulty
Easy
Size
9 cm (3.5") to 12 cm (4.7")
Longevity
4 years
Living zone
Middle and Depth
Individuals
8 or more
Food
Food
How to feed the Blind cave fish?
Omnivorous: live prey or artificial food, with occasional planting (eg poached salad).
Behavior
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
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
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
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.
Example of aquarium decor adapted to the Blind cave fish
Good To know
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