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Blotched darter tetra

Nannocharax macropterus

Also known as Blotched African darter tetra

FreshwaterFish

Blotched darter tetra (Nannocharax macropterus)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
2.4 in
6 cm
Minimum tank
21 gal
80 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Distichodontidae
Origin
Congo basin, central Africa

Overview

The blotched darter tetra is a peaceful African darter for a calm community tank. It takes a little more care than the easiest fish.

Did you know

The blotched darter tetra rests like a tripod on its broad, stiffened fins, the very fins other tetras use to swim. It spreads and leans on them to hold its place on the bottom.

Caring for the blotched darter tetra

A group of blotched darter tetras is comfortable in a tank of 21 gal (80 L) with a sandy floor. Add plants around the edges, driftwood and a gentle to moderate current.

Keep the water clean and well oxygenated, at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. A settled tank keeps this active little fish in good form.

It works the lower part of the tank, hopping from spot to spot as it forages. Feed sinking foods and small frozen fare such as bloodworm and daphnia, which it picks from the substrate and leaves.

It is peaceful and suits calm, comparable tank mates rather than very small fish. It is fine alone or in a group, but a loose group of several lets them interact. No aquarium spawning has been recorded.

Good to know

Nannocharax macropterus is a small darter in the family Distichodontidae. Its name means large-finned, for its well-developed fins. It wears rows of dark saddle blotches rather than the bars of its banded relatives.

In the wild

The blotched darter tetra ranges widely through the Congo River basin and beyond. It lives among marginal vegetation along larger rivers, in flowing water.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The blotched darter tetra is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. 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 a blotched darter tetra need?

A blotched darter tetra needs at least 21 gal (80 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a blotched darter tetra need?

A blotched darter tetra is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a blotched darter tetra eat?

A blotched darter tetra eats sinking foods and small frozen fare such as bloodworm and daphnia. It picks them from the substrate and leaves as it hops from spot to spot.

How big does a blotched darter tetra get?

An adult blotched darter tetra reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).

Related species