Arowana tetra
Gnathocharax steindachneri
Also known as Steindachner's tetra
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F
- 23–28°C
- pH
- 4.5–6.8
- Adult size
- 2 in
- 5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 21 gal
- 80 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Top
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Acestrorhynchidae
- Origin
- Blackwater creeks of the Amazon and Orinoco
Overview
The arowana tetra is a small, mostly peaceful schooling characin that hunts at the surface of a blackwater tank. It is a step up from the easiest tetras.
Did you know
The arowana tetra is named for its upturned mouth, which mirrors the surface-feeding jaw of a true arowana shrunk to five centimeters. The same hunting design turns up at wildly different sizes.
Caring for the arowana tetra
Keep arowana tetras in a group of six or more, in a tank of at least 21 gal (80 L). They are far bolder and more settled in numbers. They patrol the upper water and rarely come down, so cover the surface with floating plants. Fit a tight lid, because they can jump.
Give them dark, soft water stained with tannins, plus driftwood and dim light. Shade at the surface lets them feel secure and feed naturally. Keep the water at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C), with an acidic pH of 4.5 to 6.8.
Feed small floating and frozen foods, insect-based foods and the occasional live item. It is built for hunting tiny prey at the surface.
The arowana tetra is peaceful with fish it cannot eat, but skip very small tank mates and shrimp. There is no record of it spawning in aquariums.
Good to know
The arowana tetra, also called Steindachner's tetra, is a predatory characin in the family Acestrorhynchidae. That family groups the biting tetras and the freshwater barracudas. Its upturned mouth is set with small teeth, the equipment of a surface ambusher. It is a micro-predator that picks insects and tiny prey from the top of the water.
In the wild
The arowana tetra hunts the surface film of soft, acidic blackwater creeks in the Amazon and Orinoco basins. It lives under overhanging growth and floating cover.
Common questions
What size tank does an arowana tetra need?
An arowana tetra needs at least 21 gal (80 L). It spends most of its time in the top.
What temperature and pH does an arowana tetra need?
An arowana tetra is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 4.5–6.8.
What does an arowana tetra eat?
An arowana tetra eats small floating and frozen foods, insect-based foods and the occasional live item. It hunts tiny prey at the surface.
How big does an arowana tetra get?
An adult arowana tetra reaches about 2 in (5 cm).
Does an arowana tetra need a group?
Yes. An arowana tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
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Heterocharax virgulatus
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