Choose a good Phoenix Tetra along with its big family and fill your home aquarium with the delicately glistening silver and golden sheen peacefully shoaling.
Fishkeeping can be one of the most rewarding and relaxing pleasures you can pursue. If you are looking for hardy yet peaceful fish with a pleasant look, try Phoenix Tetras. These buddies love darting around while showing off their sparkling grey-silvery body covered in golden sheen splashed with attractive red fins. Plus, they are easy to maintain. But, how to choose a good Phoenix Tetra fish to keep in the aquarium?
Which one is better: Tank-Bred or Wild-Caught?
Most Phoenix Tetra enthusiasts will say that we can distinguish between the wild-caught and captive-bred ones simply by observing their fins. In their South American natural home, they typically display smaller size and damaged fins due to attack from more aggressive, fin-eating specialist fish.
Meanwhile, with the right tank setup, an aquarium can be a more favorable habitat. As a result, captive-bred Phoenix Tetras regularly grow larger, exhibiting magnificent fins in extended dorsal and anal.
If you want something way easier to take care of, especially for beginners, you may choose a good Phoenix Tetra of aquarium-bred over the wild-import ones.
You Need Them in Pairs
Belong to the Characidae family, Phoenix Tetra has Hemigrammus filamentosus as its scientific term. This name refers to the impressive filaments embellishing the male’s dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins. Furthermore, they get the “Tetra” name due to their unique tooth shape. These “dwarf tetra” also portray the resemblance with majestic figures of mythological “phoenix” with their wonderful gold sheen and red tail.
The majority of mature male Phoenix Tetras show prolonged filaments, longer dorsal and anal, in their fin part and a more vibrant red. Whereas, mature females have a type of caudal fins in translucent coloration. Also, the females are outstandingly stockier with somewhat plumper abdomen compared to their male counterparts.
Some say that sexing them is not that hard. It is when you observe a fish chasing another one that may be the easiest sign of a male and a female as well. The purpose of choosing a good Phoenix Tetra in pairs here is of course for further breeding.
Buying Your Phoenix Tetra Stock
As previously stated, if you wish for easier Phoenix Tetra keeping and breeding, select the tank-bred rather than the wild-caught or import ones. It is more particularly related to the living conditions in the aquarium, as well as the diet and feeding habits.
It is best to select young fish rather than starting with the mature ones. Young stocks pose less tank contamination and fewer chances of enduring harsh waters. More importantly, they are less costly compared to mature seniors.
You can pick five or six young stocks in their healthy condition. Or else, you can buy fish at a safety margin since these little guys tend to live and breed in groups of at least 10 members. Purchasing them in large quantities will prevent any fish loss due to unexpected situations. It also offers greater possibilities to choose pairings to extend the family. Not to mention any discount you can get from the seller as well.
Tetra keeping and breeding is not that difficult. The same goes to choose a good Phoenix Petra collection to keep in the aquarium. As you will know, these petite buddies are surprisingly amiable. At first, it may require extra effort but it can be just fun; all the rest you need are enthusiasm and dedication.
References:
The Order of the Phoenix Tetra : The Wet Spot Tropical Fish
Phoenix Tetra (Hemigrammus Filamentosus) Species Profile & Care Guide (aquadiction.world)
Breeding Tetra Fish - Step By Step Guide | Tetra Fish Care (tetra-fish-care.com)