Panda darter tetra
Aphyocharax nattereri
Also known as Dawn tetra, Paraguay darter tetra, Panda tetra
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–81°F (22–27°C)
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 1.4 in (3.5 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 14 gal (54 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Origin
- Paraguay basin
- Family
- Characidae
Overview
An easy little schooling tetra that copes with cooler rooms better than most, so it suits an unheated or lightly heated tank. Keep ten or more in a 54 liter tank with planting and open swimming space; the school is where the appeal is, since a single fish is unremarkable. It takes crushed flake, micro granules and small frozen foods. Peaceful with anything too large to eat it.
In the wild
Aphyocharax nattereri comes from the Paraguay basin, subtropical water that cools noticeably in winter. Keep it at 22 to 27 degrees Celsius and pH 6.0 to 7.5, with gentle flow and some planting.
Good to know
Aphyocharax nattereri reaches about 3.5 centimeters and carries a dark stripe and blotch pattern that gives it the panda trade name. It is an egg scatterer that does not guard its eggs. Its subtropical origin is why it tolerates a lower temperature range than most small tetras from the Amazon proper.
Did you know
Its tail tip is dipped black then white, a brush loaded twice on the same stroke.
Tank mates
Panda darter tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Black otocinclus
Hisonotus notatusFreshwater2 in (5 cm)14 gal (54 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Red fin otocinclus
Parotocinclus maculicaudaFreshwater2.4 in (6 cm)14 gal (54 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Annie's goby
Stiphodon annieaeFreshwater1.2 in (3 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Vinaceus tetra
Hyphessobrycon vinaceusFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)14 gal (54 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Sierra Leone barb
Enteromius leonensisFreshwater2 in (5 cm)14 gal (54 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Redback rasbora
Rasbora rubrodorsalisFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)14 gal (54 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Panda darter tetra need?
A Panda darter tetra needs at least 14 gal (54 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH do Panda darter tetra need?
Panda darter tetra are comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big do Panda darter tetra get?
An adult Panda darter tetra reaches about 1.4 in (3.5 cm).
Do Panda darter tetra need a group?
Yes. Panda darter tetra are a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Aquatic Arts Freshwater fish, shrimp and snails with an arrive-alive guarantee
- The Wet Spot Tropical Fish Large selection of quarantined tropical freshwater fish, with live arrival guarantee and Next Day Air flat rate shipping to all US locations
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Freshwater fish · Tetras · Beginner fish · Schooling fish · Community fish
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Related species
Green fire tetra
Aphyocharax rathbuniFreshwater2 in (5 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Bloodfin tetra
Aphyocharax anisitsiFreshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodiFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Colombian gold tetra
Hyphessobrycon saiziFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Flag Tetra
Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdusFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)70–81°F (21–27°C)
Loreto tetra
Hyphessobrycon loretoensisFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)