Most pet stores
stock Tetras as a matter of fact. Tetras like livebearers are a staple just
about anywhere and rightly so, Neon and Cardinal Tetras are beautiful, non
aggressive tank mates that can help transform your aquarium into a work of art.
The family “Tetra” is a large and diverse clan with cousins such as Piranha
and Pacu. There are micro sized tetras and as mentioned above enormous fishes
such as the Pacu’s of South America. There are so many - that when pet stores buy
them, they generally stick with the well known species; such as the Neon’s, Cardinals,
etc, But at Finatics were offering Tetras you may have only seen in books or
may have never seen or ever considered.
One such fish is the; Paraguay White Spot
tetra. Why? Because they are unique, different,
small and especially because they are a mimic fish! Now you’re asking,
what the heck is a mimic fish? Well, Mimic species are species that have colors
that resemble other species of fish which allows them to blend into a larger
group and hopefully provides protection from predators. The mimic species for this article is the mimic of, (you guessed it) a Corydoras catfish!
The Paraguay White Spot Tetra is a mimic for a small “pygmy” species of
Corydoras called Corydoras hastatus. To
a lesser extent Paraguay White spot tetra's also resemble the Corydoras pygmaeus.
Here is
information on them that I located by Googling “Corydoras hastatus Mimic”
http://fishtank-wonderland.blogspot.com/2012/02/white-spot-tetra-dawn-tetra.html
The White Spot
Tetra:
Alternative Name(s): Dawn Tetra,
White Spot Tetra, Rio Paraguay Tetra, Panda Tetra
Scientific Name(s): Aphyocharax
paraguayensis
Category: Tropical
Difficulty: *Easy*
Maximum Size: 1.4"
(3.5cm)
Minimum Tank Volume: 40.5 litres
Minimum Tank Size: You can keep a
group of these diminutive characins in a tank as small as 18" x 12" x
12" (45cm x 30cm x 30cm).
Water Temperature Range: 72-82°F
(22-27°C)
Water pH Range: 5.5-7.5
Water Hardness Range: 1-15°H
A rare species in the trade, the Paraguay
Tetra is usually only encountered accidentally when it appears as contaminant
in a shipment of another species of tetra. Though not imported very often, this
species is hardy and does well in captivity. This is one of the several species
of tetra that mimics Corydoras hastatus in coloration. This is a very active
species.
Natural Habitat: South
American Rivers (Rio Paraguay Basin)
Peaceful enough
but may nip a little at long-finned or slow-moving tank mates, and can bother
sedentary species with its constant activity. Try keeping it in a mixed shoal
with other characins, along with Corydoras catfish and small Loricariids.
It's also a suitable companion for Apistogramma and other South
American dwarf cichlids. Always keep it in a group of at least six as it's a
shoaling fish by nature.
So, if you looking for something out of the ordinary,
not common and not what the box stores constantly sell. Consider Finatics! We
have a whole lot more… We gladly special order and we constantly look for the
rare and unusual…
From rare and highly unusual people come rare and unusual fish....
:)
