Slender hemiodus
Hemiodus gracilis
Also known as Gracile hemiodus, Slender hemiodus tetra
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F (23–28°C)
- pH
- 5.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 7.1 in (18 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 66 gal (250 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Native to the Amazon basin and the Guianas in northern South America.
- Family
- Hemiodontidae
Overview
This is a fast, nervous schooling fish that needs a long tank of at least 250 liters with open swimming lanes and a tight lid, since it jumps. Keep it in a group of 6 or more so it feels secure and stays in the open. It is peaceful and best matched with other active, non aggressive fish.
In the wild
Lives in clear, flowing rivers and streams, often over sand in open water. It is a fast, streamlined swimmer that moves in active shoals. The water is warm, soft, and well oxygenated.
Good to know
Hemiodus gracilis is a slim, silvery fish reaching around 20 cm, marked with a dark spot on the side and a stripe running into the lower tail lobe. It belongs to the family Hemiodontidae. Adults are built for speed and constant swimming.
Did you know
Built like a torpedo, it is one of the faster swimmers in the aquarium and can cover the length of a big tank in a blink.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Slender hemiodus?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Common goldfish
Carassius auratus7.9 in (20 cm)24 gal (90 L)39–82°F (4–28°C)
Tanganyika killifish
Lamprichthys tanganicanus5.5 in (14 cm)40 gal (150 L)73–77°F (23–25°C)
Blue dolphin cichlid
Cyrtocara moorii9.8 in (25 cm)66 gal (250 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)
Blind cave tetra
Astyanax mexicanus4.7 in (12 cm)25 gal (95 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)
Pearl gourami
Trichopodus leerii4.7 in (12 cm)30 gal (115 L)75–86°F (24–30°C)
Keyhole cichlid
Cleithracara maronii4.3 in (11 cm)25 gal (95 L)70–82°F (21–28°C)