Darter tetra
Characidium fasciatum
Also known as Barred darter characin
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 68–79°F
- 20–26°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 2.8 in
- 7 cm
- Minimum tank
- 16 gal
- 60 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Crenuchidae
- Origin
- Widespread across river basins of eastern and central South America.
Overview
The darter tetra is a small, peaceful characin that lives on the bottom instead of schooling in midwater. It suits a keeper past the beginner stage.
Did you know
Instead of cruising with a school, the darter tetra props itself on its pectoral fins and makes short, darting hops between resting spots. It moves like a goby or the true darters it is named after.
Caring for the darter tetra
Give darter tetras a tank of at least 16 gal (60 L) with a sandy or fine gravel floor. Add stones and wood for them to perch on.
Cooler, well-oxygenated, flowing water suits them best, at 68 to 79°F (20 to 26°C) with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. They feed by picking small invertebrates from the substrate.
Darter tetras are peaceful with community fish but a little territorial with their own kind, so allow space if you keep several. Breeding them is hard.
Good to know
Characidium fasciatum belongs to the family Crenuchidae, the South American darters. Its pale body is marked with a row of dark bars. It is also sold as the barred darter characin.
In the wild
The darter tetra is widespread across river basins of eastern and central South America. It lives along the bottom of flowing streams and rivers, often over sand and gravel among stones and roots.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The 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.
Neocaridina shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 5 gal (19 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
FreshwaterBrackish2.4 in (6 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Freshwater1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)
White spotted rabbit snail
Tylomelania towutica
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)
Flag tetra
Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus
Freshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)70–81°F (21–27°C)
Fanning characin
Pyrrhulina rachoviana
Freshwater2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a darter tetra need?
A darter tetra needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a darter tetra need?
A darter tetra is comfortable at 68–79°F (20–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a darter tetra eat?
A darter tetra picks small invertebrates from the substrate.
How big does a darter tetra get?
An adult darter tetra reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).
Related species
1.6 in (4 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Elegant darter characin
Ammocryptocharax elegans
1.6 in (4 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)
1.9 in (4.7 cm)14 gal (54 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Black darter tetra
Poecilocharax weitzmani
1.9 in (4.7 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Sailfin tetra
Crenuchus spilurus
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)24 gal (90 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Agassiz's cory
Brochis agassizii
2.8 in (7 cm) · 24 gal (90 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Banded sisorid catfish
Glyptothorax buchanani
2.8 in (7 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)14 gal (54 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Burmese marble bee catfish
Akysis prashadi
2.8 in (7 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)