TankBud

African oneline tetra

Nannaethiops unitaeniatus

Also known as One-lined African tetra, Oneline tetra, One Line African Tetra

FreshwaterFish

African oneline tetra (Nannaethiops unitaeniatus)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

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

The African oneline tetra is a peaceful, easygoing schooling fish for a community tank, and it is easy to keep.

Did you know

When a male African oneline tetra comes into spawning condition, his plain dark stripe intensifies and his body flushes warm gold and red.

Caring for the African oneline tetra

Keep African oneline tetras in a shoal of at least six, in a planted tank of 16 gal (60 L) or more. Good numbers and gentle tank mates keep them out in the open and active.

They are undemanding about water chemistry. Keep the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C), with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.

African oneline tetras are peaceful but easily bullied. Keep them with other calm, small fish.

Females grow a little larger than males. Breeding them is moderately difficult.

Good to know

Nannaethiops unitaeniatus is a small African characin in the family Distichodontidae. A single dark stripe runs from its snout to its tail.

In the wild

The African oneline tetra is widespread across Central and West Africa, including the Congo and Niger basins and the Lake Chad drainage. It lives in streams, small rivers, ponds and lake margins. It shoals in the middle and lower water, among plants and over soft bottoms. The water there ranges from soft to moderately hard.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The 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.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

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.

How can you tell a male African oneline tetra from a female?

Males stay a little smaller than females.

Related species