Aphyocharax nattereri – Dawn Tetra

Aphyocharax nattereri or Dawn Tetra shows their markings best in a somewhat dimmed lighted aquarium otherwise they will not color well. Provide plenty of plants!

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Aphyocharax nattereri

Aphyocharax nattereri was described in 1882 by Steindachner. They are still regularly offered under their old name Aphyoharax paraguayensis, which has now become a synonym. They are also known by their common names Dawn Tetra and White Spot Tetra.

Biotope

Southern Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay.

Minimum Aquarium Size

60 cm would be enough, but because of their behavior, 80 cm is better.
A tank of at least 40 centimeters deep is also definitely recommended.

Length

About 4/5 cm.

Aquarium setup and behaviour

Provide plenty of hiding places on the surface, floating plants, overhanging plants etc.
It can also be useful to provide some visibility barriers so that the fish cannot see each other all the time!

A dark tank (by means of floating plants and some brown-colored water for example) is important for the fish to feel good. They will not color up well in a too brightly lit tank.

They are brats among themselves, they constantly challenge each other and each have their own area.
New residents are not always welcomed in a friendly manner either. In my tank, this was over after a day.

Challenges aside, they are not overly active fish, they swim in the middle and top of the tank.

I had understood through other forums that the animals fester enormously to fellow residents, that behavior is most likely the result of too high a water temperature! So only keep them in a sub-tropical aquarium with lower temperatures.

Diet

They will accept all food but prefer live or frozen food.
They love flies and mosquitoes, which can cause problems with open tanks.

Video

Author

René

Copyright images

F. Ingemann Hansen – Akvariefotografen.com
Michael Negrini – Pisciculture d’Estalens (originele website niet meer online)

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Additional information

Family

Genus

Species

nattereri

Synonym

Aphyocharax paraguayensis, Cheirodon steindachneri, Chirodon nattereri, Chirodon pulcher

Common name

Dawn Tetra, White Spot Tetra

First described by

Franz Steindachner

Character

Social behaviour

Breeding behaviour

Diet

Zone

Origin

Country

, , ,

ecosystem

, ,

Minimum length

4

Length maximum

5

Temperature minimum

18

Temperature maximum

22

pH minimum

6.0

pH maximum

7.0

GH minimum

2

GH max

8