Panda darter tetra
Aphyocharax nattereri
Also known as Dawn tetra, Paraguay darter tetra, Panda tetra
FreshwaterFish
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
- Egg scatterer
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Characidae
- Origin
- Paraguay basin
Overview
The panda darter tetra is an easy little schooling fish for a peaceful community tank. A single fish looks unremarkable, and its appeal lies in the school.
Did you know
The panda darter tetra's tail tip is dipped black, then white, like a brush loaded twice for the same stroke.
Caring for the panda darter tetra
Keep panda darter tetras in a school of ten or more, in a tank of at least 14 gal (54 L). Give them some planting and open swimming space.
They cope with a cooler room, so an unheated or lightly heated tank can suit them. Keep the water at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C), with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 and gentle flow. Feed crushed flake, micro granules and small frozen foods.
Panda darter tetras are peaceful with any tank mate too large for them to eat. They scatter their eggs and do not guard them.
Good to know
Aphyocharax nattereri belongs to the family Characidae. Its dark stripe and blotch pattern gives it the panda trade name.
In the wild
The panda darter tetra comes from the Paraguay basin, where the subtropical water cools noticeably in winter. That origin is why it tolerates lower temperatures than most small tetras from the Amazon proper.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The panda darter 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.
Red line halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon phaiosoma
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Green lace shrimp
Atyoida pilipes
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Dwarf horseface loach
Acanthopsoides robertsi
Freshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Cherry barb
Rohanella titteya
Freshwater2 in (5 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Gold-spotted halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon chrysopunctatus
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Gold pygmy horseface loach
Kottelatlimia pristes
Freshwater1.6 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 does a panda darter tetra need?
A panda darter tetra is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a panda darter tetra eat?
A panda darter tetra eats crushed flake, micro granules and small frozen foods.
How big does a panda darter tetra get?
An adult panda darter tetra reaches about 1.4 in (3.5 cm).
Does a panda darter tetra need a group?
Yes. A panda darter tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
How does a panda darter tetra breed?
A panda darter tetra scatters its eggs, and the parents do not guard them.
Related species
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Aphyocharax rathbuni
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Aphyocharax anisitsi
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