Astyanax fasciatus Care Guide
Astyanax fasciatus is a hardy, silvery tetra ranging from Mexico to Argentina, tolerant of cooler temperatures than most characins.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Astyanax fasciatus is a silvery freshwater characin originally described as Chalceus fasciatus by Cuvier in 1819. Recent taxonomic work places it in the genus Psalidodon, and FishBase records a maximum total length of about 17.1 cm. The species was formerly thought to be closely related to the Mexican tetra.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae
- Genus: Astyanax
- Scientific name: Astyanax fasciatus
- Synonym: Psalidodon fasciatus (current usage in FishBase and Wikipedia)
- Originally described as Chalceus fasciatus (Cuvier, 1819)
Habitat
FishBase records the species across most freshwater basins from Mexico to Argentina, making it one of the most widely distributed American characins. It is potamodromous and favours streams and rivers without strong currents as well as lentic (still-water) areas.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L
- Temperature: 18-26 °C (64-79 °F)
- pH: 6.5-8.0
- GH: 5-18 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
The species is an omnivore with a predatory leaning. FishBase assigns it a trophic level near 3.0 and describes it as a vivacious, predatory fish that eats small fish and will bite pieces of meat. In aquaria it accepts a varied diet of prepared, frozen and live foods.
Compatibility
This is an active, mid-water schooling fish best kept in a group. Given its predatory tendencies it should not be combined with very small fish that could be eaten, and is better matched with similarly sized or larger, robust tankmates. Wikipedia notes it is the model mimicked by the scale-eating Deuterodon heterostomus.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 16 November 2020).
Banded Astyanax (Astyanax fasciatus) Breeding Guide
Overview
Astyanax fasciatus, now classified as Psalidodon fasciatus, is a hardy characin widespread across most freshwater basins from Mexico to Argentina, reaching about 17 cm. It inhabits streams and rivers without strong currents and is recorded at around 20-25 C. It was formerly thought to be closely related to the Mexican tetra (the surface-and-cave complex), but the consulted sources do not describe cave or surface morphs for this species itself. It is an egg-scattering characin.
Sexing
Mature females in spawning condition are rounder than males. Detailed external dimorphism for this species is not described in the consulted sources.
Conditioning
Use a large, well-filtered tank for this comparatively big tetra and condition the fish on a varied diet. The species is cool-tolerant, so seasonal temperature within its range can be used to encourage condition.
Breeding Setup
- A large spawning tank suited to a tetra of up to about 17 cm.
- Water within the species range (around pH 6.5-8.0, moderate hardness, roughly 20-25 C).
- Calm, low-flow conditions resembling its natural lentic habitat.
- Fine-leaved plants or a protective base to receive scattered eggs.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
As an egg-scattering characin, the species is expected to scatter eggs in calm water with no parental care, in the manner of its close relative A. bimaculatus. Detailed species-specific spawning triggers and fecundity are not documented in the consulted sources.
Common Challenges
Egg predation by the adults is the main risk, as in all egg-scattering tetras. Because species-specific breeding data are limited, breeders should monitor results and provide a protective spawning medium.