January Tetra (Hemigrammus hyanuary)
| January Tetra Hemigrammus hyanuary | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | January Tetra |
| Name Lat. | Hemigrammus hyanuary |
| Family | Characins |
| Family lat. | Characidae |
| Order | Characins |
| Order lat. | Characiformes |
| Origin | South America |
| Habitat | Tributaries, ponds |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Egg scatterer |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 3-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 4 cm |
| Temperature | 23-27 °C |
| Hardness | 1-15 °dH |
| Aquarium | 60 cm / 54 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 1.6" |
| Temperature | 73-81 °F |
| Hardness | 18-267 ppm |
| Aquarium | 15 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the Green Neon is the Amazon river system in Peru and Brazil and Lake Hyanuary near Manaus. They live in slow flowing rivers and lakes.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have soft, slightly acidic water and varied planting that provides both shelter and swimming space. A dark substrate, shaded light (floating plant cover) and low current is ideal.
There should be no detectable ammonia, ammonium or nitrite, and the nitrate level should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
The food offer consists of live food, such as cyclops, daphnia and tubifex, which is accepted without problems also in frozen form, supplemented with frozen food mixtures. Especially mysis and mosquito larvae should not be missing. In addition, they also need some vegetable food, such as crushed peas, mashed leafy and wild vegetables or dry food (flakes, granules) with high vegetable content (spirulina, kelp)
A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance. Only feed as much as is eaten immediately (in a maximum of 10 minutes).
Behaviour and compatibility
They are peaceful, well tolerated fish suitable for any community tank. At least 5, but preferably much more Green Neon should be kept together.
In principle, only mutually compatible fish species with similar requirements for water quality and water temperature may be socialized
Sex dimorphism
Females are clearly more plump. The slender males have barbs on the anal fin and therefore easily get caught in the net.
Reproduction and breeding
In soft, slightly acidic peat water, they usually spawn between fine-feathered plants. The larvae hatch after about 24 hours and swim freely from the 6th day.
Juveniles must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (dust food). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the spawn is easy prey.
Important
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. The temperature should be checked daily, the pH, hardness and nitrate value at least every 14 days. A regular partial water change is recommended, even if the pollutant load has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: Ruinemans Aquarium B.V.
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF