Think Fish - The Tropical Fish Keeping Resource

Fish Database: X-ray Tetra - Pristella maxillaris

Aquarium requirements

Aquarium suitability: 5/5
Sociability rating: 9/10
Area of tank: Middle, all
Aquarium water conditions: 6-8.5, vs,s,m,h
Temperature: 24 - 27C
Feeding: Flake, frozen, live foods
Minimum tank size: 60cm
Min / Max number in tank: Min 4

Fish fact file

Family: Characidae (Characins)
Synonyms: Aphyocharax maxillaris, Holopristis riddlei, Pristella riddlei
Other common names: Pristella Tetra, Water Goldfinch
Origin: South America; Amazon
Natural habitat: Calm, densely vegetated waters
Size: 5cm
Behavior: Peaceful and shoaling
Breeding: Egg scatterer, spawning is relatively easy in vegetated aquaria
Natural water conditions: pH 6-8, hard
Sexing: Males are thinner than females. Females have a more rounded swim-bladder.

Fish code No.0928

Recently Viewed fish: X-ray Tetra

The X-ray tetra is a long-standing popular aquarium fish and is readily available, being mainly bred in captiveity. The fishes understated body colour and bold yellow-black-white fin markings give it a nice appearance in the aquarium. X-rays are typically peaceful shoaling tetras well suited to a community aquarium. The fish require areas of vegetation and do not like brightly lit areas so a dark substrate and some cover is appreciated. Soft water is not essential but combined with dark areas, will allow the fish to show its best colours. A varied diet, including some vegetable and meaty matter as well as standard flake, will also help improve health and colour. Although peaceful, like other tetras of similar shape, X-rays may on occasion nip at very fancy finned fish.

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