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Tambopata glass tetra

Tyttocharax tambopatensis

Also known as Sailfin glass tetra, Blue tiny tetra

FreshwaterFish

Tambopata glass tetra (Tyttocharax tambopatensis)

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
0.7 in
1.9 cm
Minimum tank
5 gal
20 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Characidae
Origin
Tambopata drainage, Madre de Dios, Peru

Overview

The Tambopata glass tetra is one of the smallest tetras in the hobby, and it is nearly see-through. It needs a peaceful, finely tuned nano tank of its own and suits experienced keepers.

Did you know

The Tambopata glass tetra's genus name, Tyttocharax, means tiny charax. A whole school of them can live in a tank that most fish would find cramped.

Caring for the Tambopata glass tetra

Keep Tambopata glass tetras as a school of at least eight, in a nano tank of 5 gal (20 L) or more. The tank should be mature and stable, with fine-leaved plants, some leaf litter and gentle filtration. They cannot cope with rough water or heavy current.

Give them soft, gently acidic water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Keep it very clean. They swim in the middle and lower water and feed on very small foods. Offer micro pellets, crushed flake, baby brine shrimp and other tiny live and frozen foods several times a week.

Tambopata glass tetras are peaceful, so keep out larger or boisterous tank mates that would bully or outcompete them. Males grow deeper-bodied than females and carry more developed fins. No captive breeding has been recorded.

Good to know

The Tambopata glass tetra is a characin of the family Characidae. It is a true miniature, yet it is still the largest member of its genus. It was described in 1995 from the Tambopata River, and its sailfin trade name comes from the male's more developed fins.

In the wild

Tyttocharax tambopatensis lives in clear forest creeks of the Tambopata drainage in Madre de Dios, Peru. The water there is warm, soft and gently flowing, shaded by the forest.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Tambopata glass 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.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Tambopata glass tetra need?

A Tambopata glass tetra needs at least 5 gal (20 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Tambopata glass tetra need?

A Tambopata glass tetra is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a Tambopata glass tetra eat?

A Tambopata glass tetra eats very small foods, such as micro pellets, crushed flake and baby brine shrimp. Offer other tiny live and frozen foods too, several times a week.

How big does a Tambopata glass tetra get?

An adult Tambopata glass tetra reaches about 0.7 in (1.9 cm).

Does a Tambopata glass tetra need a group?

Yes. A Tambopata glass tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How can you tell a male Tambopata glass tetra from a female?

Males are deeper-bodied than females and carry more developed fins.

Related species