Mary Allen
Red tints are not uncommon for South American tetras. But the copper-colored tint of the copper tetra named after it is an exception. This popular aquarium fish is characterized by its small size, lively behavior, and unusual coloring.
Characteristics
- Name: Copper Tetra, Hasemania nana
- System: Real tetras
- Size: 5 cm
- Origin: northern South America
- Attitude: easy
- Aquarium size: from 54 liters (60 cm)
- pH value: 5.5-7
- Water temperature: 24-28 ° C
Interesting facts about the Copper Tetra
Scientific name
Hasemania nana
Other names
Hasemania marginata, Tetragonopterus nanus, Hemigrammus nanus, silvertip tetra
Systematics
- Class: Actinopterygii (ray fins)
- Order: Characiformes (tetras)
- Family: Characidae (common tetras)
- Genus: Hasemania
- Species: Hasemania nana, copper tetra
Size
The copper tetra becomes about 5 cm long. It is noticeable that this species has no adipose fin (small fin between the dorsal and caudal fin, found in almost all tetras and catfish).
Color
The sides of the body are light, the unpaired fins clearly copper-colored. The tips of the dorsal and anal fin and the caudal fin lobes are set off in white. A wide black band runs from the end of the anal fin in the middle of the body to the end of the caudal fin.
Origin
Southeastern Brazil, in the area of the Rio São Francisco and Rio Purus.
Gender differences
The females are paler and noticeably fuller than the slender males. The color differences are particularly clear in spawning mood, as the male is then colored copper-red and the females are more yellowish.
Reproduction
Breeding the copper tetra is relatively easy. A pair that is ready for spawning (recognizable by the strong color of the male and the waist circumference of the female) is placed in a small spawning aquarium with slightly acidic water that is not too hard and the temperature is increased to up to 28 ° C. In the aquarium, there should be a spawning grid and some tufts of plants (loose Java moss, najas, or similar), as the parents are spawning predators. Spawning usually takes place in the morning. The eggs are very small and brownish, the larvae hatch after 36 hours at the latest. After two days they swim freely and need the finest live food, such as infusoria. After a good week, they take newly hatched Artemia nauplii and grow quickly.
Life expectancy
Copper tetra can live up to ten years.
Interesting facts
Nutrition
The omnivore willingly accepts dry food of all kinds. Live or frozen food should be served at least once a week, and more often in preparation for breeding.
Group size
Copper tetra should be kept in a small group of at least eight specimens. Since the males can harass the females a little when they are in a spawning mood, the latter should be somewhat in the majority.
Aquarium size
The aquarium for eight copper tetra should contain at least 54 liters. Even a standard aquarium measuring 60 x 30 x 30 is sufficient. If you want to keep a larger group and add more fish, the aquarium must be correspondingly larger.
Pool equipment
Dense planting is important. By adding roots and a few alder cones you can achieve a slightly brownish watercolor and a slightly acidic pH value, which has a positive effect on the color and well-being of the tetras. Some dense stands of plants not only serve as protection for inferior females, they are also often spawned here (but the young do not come through).
Socialize copper tetra
As relatively peaceful fish, they can be socialized with much other fish of similar size, especially tetras. Armored catfish are particularly suitable as a company because copper tetra avoids close to the ground and swim mainly in the central area of the aquarium.
Required water values
The conditions of the tap water are well suited for normal maintenance. The temperature should be between 23 and 25 ° C, the pH value between 5.5-7. For breeding purposes, the water should not be too hard and as slightly acidic as possible, then the copper tones are also stronger.