African oneline tetra
Nannaethiops unitaeniatus
Also known as One-lined African tetra, Oneline tetra, One Line African Tetra
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- 22–26°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 2.6 in
- 6.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 16 gal
- 60 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Distichodontidae
- Origin
- Widespread across Central and West Africa, including the Congo and Niger basins and Lake Chad drainage.
Overview
This peaceful, easygoing fish does well in a shoal of at least 6 in a planted community tank. It is undemanding about water chemistry but is easily bullied, so keep it with other calm, small fish. Good numbers and gentle tankmates keep it out and active.
In the wild
Lives in streams, small rivers, ponds, and lake margins across a broad swath of Africa. It shoals in the middle and lower water among plants and over soft bottoms. The water ranges from soft to moderately hard.
Good to know
Nannaethiops unitaeniatus is a small African characin of around 6.5 cm in the family Distichodontidae, marked by a single dark stripe from snout to tail. Females grow a little larger than males. Spawning males take on a golden red flush.
Did you know
When a male comes into spawning condition, the plain dark stripe intensifies and his body flushes with warm gold and red.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
African oneline tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
False bandit cory
Hoplisoma melini
Freshwater2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
New Guinea blue-eye
Pseudomugil novaeguineae
Freshwater1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)
White spotted rabbit snail
Tylomelania towutica
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)
Merry widow livebearer
Phallichthys amates
Freshwater2.5 in (6.4 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)72–86°F (22–30°C)
Golden dwarf cichlid
Nannacara anomala
Freshwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Spotted splash tetra
Copella nattereri
Freshwater2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does an African oneline tetra need?
An African oneline tetra needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does an African oneline tetra need?
An African oneline tetra is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does an African oneline tetra get?
An adult African oneline tetra reaches about 2.6 in (6.5 cm).
Does an African oneline tetra need a group?
Yes. An African oneline tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Green dwarf distichodus
Distichodus teugelsi
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
3 in (7.5 cm)30 gal (112 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Dwarf distichodus
Distichodus decemmaculatus
3 in (7.5 cm) · 30 gal (112 L)
1.8 in (4.5 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Trewavas's neolebias
Neolebias trewavasae
1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)
1.4 in (3.5 cm)11 gal (40 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Ansorge's neolebias
Neolebias ansorgii
1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)
1.4 in (3.5 cm)11 gal (40 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Philippe's neolebias
Neolebias philippei
1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)
1.3 in (3.3 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Threeline neolebias
Neolebias trilineatus
1.3 in (3.3 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)