Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana and Venezuela. Most specimens offered for sale in the aquatics trade are captive-bred.
Maximum Size
5cm (2")
Temperature
24-28°C
Water Parameters
Will acclimatise to a wide range of conditions. pH: 6.0-8.0, dH: up to 25 degrees.
Compatibility
Community
Lighting
No special requirements
Sexual Dimorphism
Mature females likely to be fuller-bodied. Males have a more sharply pointed swim-bladder.
Feeding
Flake, granules and frozen foods
Description
Care
X-Ray Tetras make excellent community fish. Their relative hardiness means they are a good choice for the beginner, and their peaceful nature means that they mix well with other fish of similar size and temperament. X-Ray Tetras should be maintained in groups of at least 6 individuals and should be housed in a darkly furnished aquarium with aquatic plants for them to feel secure and best show off their colouration. A "gold" variety is also available. Although this fish has a few alternative common names, including Water Goldfinch(!) the only one likely to be used is Pristella.
Feeding
Flake, micro pellets, frozen foods such as daphnia, brineshrimp, mosquito larvae etc.
Breeding
Getting X-Ray Tetras to spawn is easy raising the tiny fry is the more challenging part. A conditioned pair should be placed in a separate spawning tank, set up with soft, slightly acidic water and plenty of fine-leaved plants. The female may scatter up to 500 eggs, often triggered by the first rays of the morning sun. After spawning, the pair should be removed from the breeding aquarium to prevent predation. The eggs should hatch within 48-72 hours.
Where can I buy these aquarium fish?
If you like this species and would like to find out more, we have an enormous range of aquarium fish and invertebrates available to buy in all of our stores across the UK (including freshwater tropical and marine fish).
However, please note that this species may not be available in your chosen store, even if the store specialises in this particular species. This is due to seasonality and stock availability from store-to-store. Please check with your local store about availability of specific species to purchase before making a journey.
For delivery before Christmas, orders must be placed on or before 3pm on Wednesday 20th December. We cannot guarantee delivery of these orders pre-Christmas as we are reliant on our couriers, but will use our best endeavours to get orders placed on this date out to you before Christmas. For full details of our festive delivery and opening times click here
Please note: online orders placed after 3pm on Friday 22nd December will not be dispatched until the New Year. For full details of our festive delivery and opening times click here
