Description of the copper tetra and the rules for its content

Many aquarists choose the copper tetra for its spectacular appearance and unpretentious care. It treats plants and other inhabitants of the aquarium well and is a real decoration of the house.

Copper tetra is a small fish 3-5 cm long. It has a slightly elongated and laterally flattened body, and its difference is the absence of an adipose fin, while this is a characteristic feature of the representatives of the haracinids, to which the tetra belongs. But this fish has excellent hearing due to the presence of a Weber organ between the inner ear and the swim bladder, it is able to hear sounds in the 13 kHz range.

Another distinctive feature is the unusual swim bladder, which is necessary to enrich the body with oxygen. The fact is that in nature, tetra lives in muddy reservoirs, in which there is not enough of this necessary element, and this bubble allows it to breathe fully. The eyes of this fish are large, slightly protruding, the jaws are strong, and the lower one protrudes beyond the upper one.

Males have a colorful coloration, which is dominated by bluish-silver shades. Females are characterized by a dull color, usually they are green-yellow. The name "copper" tetra received for the features of the scales, which during spawning are filled with a copper glow. A dark stripe with a yellow line on top runs along the center line of the body. Males usually have reddish-brown fins, while females are yellowish.

Fish differ in size. So, the length of the female individual reaches 5 cm, and the size of the males reaches 3 cm. The life span of a copper tetra is maximum 3 years.

Copper tetras are schooling fish, so they are usually bought in groups. The more individuals are kept together, the more water they need. Usually 70 liters is enough for an average flock. Natural conditions for the full development of these fish are soft water with a high content of tannins and low acidity, so owners are advised to create conditions close to natural. In such water, the fish will look even brighter.

To make the water resemble natural, aquarists advise adding peat or dry foliage to the aquarium. The optimum temperature range is 23-28 degrees, the acidity is 6.0-8.0, the recommended hardness is 5-20H. In general, these are picky creatures who will feel comfortable in other conditions.

As for the soil, then give preference to quartz varieties that do not affect the composition of the water. For aesthetics, you can plant several small-leaved plants around the perimeter so that the fish swim among the greenery, but do not populate the center of the aquarium with algae - this will be an area for the free movement of fish.

At the bottom, you can place a grotto, driftwood, caves, twigs, do not forget to add dry leaves, for example oak leaves (due to the content of tannins, they reduce acidity and have an antibacterial effect). In addition, dried foliage colors the water in a dark color, against which bright fish look very impressive.

In their natural environment, tetras eat small crustaceans and plants. At home, they are allowed to be fed with fresh or frozen live food or special aquarium food. For this type of fish, it is recommended to buy dry food in the form of flakes. The fact is that the tetra feeds on food floating on the surface of the water or sinking to the bottom, but if the food touches the ground, then the fish will no longer eat it.

To keep the aquarium clean, you need to buy food in the form of flakes, which will slowly settle to the bottom, and the fish will have time to feast on them. For the same purpose, any feed should be offered in dosage.

It is enough to feed a school of fish a couple of times a day. The diet must include protein. Its fish can be obtained from bloodworms, enchitrea, koretra or daphnia. Protein is needed for full breeding and colorful color. Also aquarists it is advised not to include the pipe maker in the menu for the tetra.

Females are ready to reproduce when they reach 4 months of age, males mature in six months. To obtain offspring, females and males are planted in a spawning grounds with a volume of at least 50 liters. It is recommended to lay out the bottom with a separator mesh, as well as decorate with vegetation.

For reproduction, fish are suitable for water with a temperature of 24-27 degrees and an acidity of 6.0-6.6 pH. It is usually customary to pour it at a level of 15 cm. Before placing the fish in the spawning grounds, they are seated in separate containers and well fed. After that (in the evening), females and males are placed in the spawning grounds, and spawning should take place in the morning. Each female lays up to 400 eggs.

The copper tetra is distinguished by its benevolence and loyalty to its neighbors and gets along well with other aquarium inhabitants, for example: gourami, guppies, scalars, apistograms, shrimps, zebrafish, barbs, peace-loving catfish, etc.

It is not recommended to grow a tetra in the same aquarium with veiled species, since a curious fish can take an interest in the soft fin of a neighbor and eat it.

For more information about the features of these fish, see the next video.