Tucano tetra
Tucanoichthys tucano
Also known as Tucano fish, Tucanoichthys tetra
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 4.5–6.0
- Adult size
- 0.8 in
- 2 cm
- Minimum tank
- 12 gal
- 45 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Characidae
- Origin
- Endemic to the Rio Uaupes drainage in the upper Rio Negro system of Brazil.
Overview
The Tucano tetra is a demanding nano fish for a blackwater species tank. It is a fish for experienced blackwater specialists.
Did you know
The Tucano tetra was only discovered and named in the 1990s. It still comes from just a small patch of blackwater streams, so it remains a scarce specialty fish.
Caring for the Tucano tetra
Keep a group of at least 8 to 10 Tucano tetras in a small species tank of 12 gal (45 L) or more. The tank should be stable and mature, with leaf litter and gentle filtration.
Tucano tetras need very soft, acidic blackwater to do well. Keep it at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) with a pH of 4.5 to 6.0.
They are peaceful and swim in the middle of the tank, but they are far too small and delicate for a general community. Breeding them is hard.
Good to know
Tucanoichthys tucano is a miniature characin of the family Characidae, and it sits in its own genus. It carries a dark lateral stripe along the body, topped with a red glow.
In the wild
The Tucano tetra comes from the Rio Uaupés drainage of the upper Rio Negro system in Brazil. It lives in tiny, shaded blackwater forest streams, where the water is extremely soft, acidic and stained dark with tannins. The streams run over a bed of sand and leaf litter, and the fish stay in small shoals close to cover.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Tucano 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.
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Freshwater1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)
Threadfin rainbowfish
Iriatherina werneri
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 13 gal (50 L)72–86°F (22–30°C)
Amano shrimp
Caridina multidentata
FreshwaterBrackish2 in (5 cm) · 8 gal (30 L)59–81°F (15–27°C)
Green panchax
Aplocheilus blockii
Freshwater2 in (5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
T-bar dwarf cichlid
Apistogrammoides pucallpaensis
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Pygmy hatchetfish
Carnegiella myersi
Freshwater1 in (2.5 cm) · 12 gal (45 L)73–79°F (23–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Tucano tetra need?
A Tucano tetra needs at least 12 gal (45 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Tucano tetra need?
A Tucano tetra is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 4.5–6.0.
How big does a Tucano tetra get?
An adult Tucano tetra reaches about 0.8 in (2 cm).
Does a Tucano tetra need a group?
Yes. A Tucano tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
0.8 in (2 cm)9 gal (35 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Ember tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
0.8 in (2 cm) · 9 gal (35 L)
0.8 in (2 cm)12 gal (45 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Hummingbird tetra
Trochilocharax ornatus
0.8 in (2 cm) · 12 gal (45 L)
0.8 in (2 cm)12 gal (45 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Ruby tetra
Axelrodia riesei
0.8 in (2 cm) · 12 gal (45 L)
0.8 in (2 cm)7 gal (25 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)Yellow phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon roseus
0.8 in (2 cm) · 7 gal (25 L)
0.7 in (1.9 cm)5 gal (20 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Tambopata glass tetra
Tyttocharax tambopatensis
0.7 in (1.9 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)
0.9 in (2.4 cm)11 gal (40 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Krieg's tetra
Serrapinnus kriegi
0.9 in (2.4 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)