Green fire tetra - Aphyocharax rathbuni

Food and feeding
These fish will accept all foods offered. Provide them with quality flake and treat occasionally with brine shrimp and blood worm.

Origin
South America; it is to be found in the Rio Paraguay.

Sexing
Males will display white tips on their fins. Females will have fuller bodies when in spawning mode.

Breeding
No lighting should be added to the breeding tank, fine leaved plants will act as sites for depositing the eggs. Condition the adults with live foods and spawning should take place at day break. The eggs will hatch in 2-3 days and the fry should be free swimming 5-6 days after that. Initially feed the fry on Infusoria and as they grow feed them on newly hatched brine shrimp.

Lifespan
The expected life span for this fish is 3-6 years.

Short description
As with most tetras, these need to be kept in small groups of at least 6 fish. They are tolerant of water parameters, happiest in acidic water but they will live in alkaline conditions. Subdued lighting and open swimming spaces are ideal for these fish. Add plants to the tank to provide hiding places for them.

Pictures
Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.