Niger Tetra (Arnoldichthys spilopterus)
| Niger Tetra Arnoldichthys spilopterus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Niger Tetra |
| Name Lat. | Arnoldichthys spilopterus |
| Synonym | Petersius spilopterus |
| Family | African Tetras |
| Family lat. | Alestidae |
| Order | Characins |
| Order lat. | Characiformes |
| Origin | Africa |
| Habitat | Streams, rivers |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Egg scatterer |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 5-10 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 8 cm |
| Temperature | 23-25 °C |
| Hardness | < 15 °dH |
| Aquarium | 100 cm / 200 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 3.1" |
| Temperature | 73-77 °F |
| Hardness | < 267 ppm |
| Aquarium | 50 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the Arnolds Red-eyed Tetra is the river systems in the lower reaches of the Niger and Ogun Rivers in West Africa. There they live in the coastal streams and rivers.
Maintenance
They prefer shallow, spacious tanks with large swimming space, dark substrate and little bottom planting. Water filtered through peat is optimal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and the oxygen content, a filter adapted to the aquarium size and a heater are required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
They require mainly animal food, supplemented with vegetable. The food supply consists of live food, such as daphnia, cyclops, tubifex, mysis and black mosquito larvae, which are also eaten in frozen form without any problems, as well as commercially available, frozen special food mixtures, supplemented with high-quality dry food (flakes, granules) with vegetable components (e.g. spirulina, kelp). They also like to eat approach foods such as Drosophila. Especially mysis and black mosquito larvae must not be missing, as they are needed to maintain the luminosity and body color
A regular and varied feeding promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms. Only as much should be fed as is eaten immediately (in a maximum of 10 minutes).
Behaviour and compatibility
They are peaceful, unproblematic schooling fish for the community tank. At least 5, but preferably more Arnolds red-eyed tetras should be kept together.
In principle, only mutually compatible fish species with similar requirements for water quality and water temperature should be kept together.
Sex dimorphism
In males, the anal fin is striped red-yellow-black, while females have a black spot on the anal fin.
Reproduction and breeding
They are typical free spawners and release 800 to 1000 eggs, about 1.2 mm in size, into the open water. After about 36 hours the young hatch and swim freely after 7 days
The young fish must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (dust food). In a community tank breeding is hardly possible, because the spawn is easy prey here
Important
Experience shows that the life expectancy of Arnold's red-eyed tetra is reduced if the water temperature exceeds 25 °C for a prolonged period.
The well-being of the fish should be monitored regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least fortnightly. Regular partial water changes are 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: petdata
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