FishLvr.com

By Gary Bolton

Family: Characidae

Species: Hemigrammus pulcher

Size: 5cm (2 inch)

Diet: Omnivorous

Tank levels: Middle and lower

Habitat: Peruvian section of the Amazon River

Remarks: This popular fish will breed in captivity but may be reluctant to spawn unless full compatibility between the sexes is achieved. The female should be swollen with eggs before introducing here to the male. Use a heavily planted, 60cm (24 inch) tank for breeding.

Comments: The body of the Pretty Tetra is deep when compared with other members of this family. On mature specimens, the back and head are a dark grey-green colour which shades through to a purple-copper and down to a silver lower half. As with other silvery species, iridescences are seen according to lighting conditions. The scales are dark-edged, and the eye is red above and pale bluish green below. The top of the caudal peduncle is marked with a gold line, beneath which a dark patch extends forwards, terminating near the rear of the dorsal fin.

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