Silver tip tetra

Silver tip tetra

Hasemania nana

MAINTENANCE: EASY / CARE: EASY / REPRODUCTION: EASY / COST: REASONABLE

Hasemania nana is a member of the large family of characidae. Its lively behaviour and character make it a specially appreciated occupant of community aquariums.

Map of Brazil

FACT SHEET

Scientific name: Hasemania nana. Common name: Silver tip tetra. Family: Characidae. Origin: Brazil, San Francisco River. River Parus. Natural habitat: Soft black water (the dark colour of the water is from rotting vegetation). Size: 5 cm. Sexual differences: The male has brighter colours, the female is plumper. Behaviour: A peaceful nature, preferring to live in shoals.

 

In its natural environment, this tetra tolerates great variations of water quality. It is, however, not necessary to vary the water values in your aquarium to maintain it correctly. Easy going, it adapts to life in captivity on the condition that you do not impose on it companions that are too boisterous or greedy.

In the aquarium

A 120-litre aquarium is perfect for a group of a dozen specimens. The gregarious nature of this species (living in shoals) necessitates keeping at least six fish.

An aquarium well stocked with aquatic plants with a dark floor will make the yellow and orange colours stand out. You can put a large plant like Echinodorus amazonicus in the middle of your tank, for example, and create a reassuring decor around it. Then position fine leafed and fast growing plants such as Hygrophila difformis in the background, and a peat root onto which tufts of Java moss are attached using nylon thread. A filtration of 300 litres per hour keeps the water crystal clear. In the majority of cases, tap water is perfectly suitable. However, if your water is too hard, dilute it with softer water. The addition of peat granules in the filtration compartment keeps the pH values at an acid level. This peat, which is used in aquariums and found in specialist shops, gives a slightly yellow colour to the water. Companions for the Hasemania nana can be chosen from other members of the characidae family, such as

Hyphessobrycon erythrozonus, again kept in a group of at least six specimens. You can also add a pair of dwarf cichlidae of the Apistogramma genus.

Feeding

Although omnivorous, this characin shows a marked preference for a meat diet, whether the food is live or frozen. Food flakes are equally popular with this fish and the flakes can provide the missing vegetable content, particularly if you choose a variety rich in spirulina algae. To prepare for breeding, offer your fish small live prey such as brine shrimp or daphnia.

Reproduction

Breeding Silver tip tetras poses no problems. A 50-litre aquarium filled with fairly soft water, stocked with Java moss and weakly lit will do the trick. Choose a very lively and brightly coloured male from your group as well as a female with a very plump belly and introduce them carefully into the breeding tank. After a period of getting used to each other, the pair will begin to chase each other and twirl around inside the Java moss: it is at this time that eggs are emitted. This can also take place in open water. Once the female has emptied her eggs (she then has a flat belly), take the parents out of the aquarium. Wait patiently for about 30 hours, then with the help of an electric lamp, you will notice tiny transparent 'commas' anchored to the walls of the tank. Three days later, you will be able to start to feed the fry with microscopic live food.

The female is recognisable by her plump belly and is less densely coloured than the male

Life in the aquarium
Maintenance	Community aquarium of at least 60 litres for a school of six specimens.
PH	From 6.2 to 7.5.
Water hardness	Tolerates hard water, prefers about 8 dH.
Temperature	From 22to28°C.
Changing the water	10% every week.
Food	Omnivorous, it accepts flakes and frozen food.
Reproduction	Egg laying, the eggs attach themselves to the plants.
Compatibility	Sociable with all other small Amazonian fish.
Life expectancy	From 3 to 4 years.
Comments	The absence of its adipose fin differentiates this fish from other characidae.