Blind Cave Tetra (Astyanax fasciatus mexicanus)

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Blind Cave Tetra

Blindcavefish-9697.jpg
Blind Cave Tetra

Astyanax fasciatus mexicanus

57 Litres (15 US G.)

7.6-8.9cm (3-3.5 ")

sg

Freshwater

pH

6.8 - 7.3

23.3-25.6°C (74 -78 °F)

6-10 °d

2:3 M:F

Omnivore
Pellet Foods
Flake Foods
Live Foods

2-8 years

Family

Characidae



Additional names

Blind Cave Tetra, Cave Blind Tetra, Mexican Tetra, Silvery Tetra, Blind Cavefish

Additional scientific names

Anoptichthys jordani


Sexing

The females are slightly larger and wider.


Tank compatibility

A mid-swimmer, this fish can be aggressive and nippy, so keep in a good shoal of at least 6 and with fast-swimming short-finned tank mates only in a spacious tank.


Diet

Will accept most foods including pellets and flake as well as live/frozen foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp.


Feeding regime

Feed once or twice a day.


Environment specifics

The Blind Cave Tetra is found in dark caves in Mexico. Not fussy about aquascapes and adaptable to most water conditions.


Behaviour

It needs to be kept in a good shoal to avoid it nipping at other tank mates. Keep at least five and preferably more. They are fast swimmers and a good-natured fish, which get on well with other fish species and leave smaller fish alone. They stay mainly in the middle zone.


Identification

The most striking thing about this fish is it's lack of eyes and lack of colour, almost pale pink in appearance. The fish is born with eyes but skin grows over them as they mature.

Pictures

External links