Astyanax fasciatus Care Guide
Astyanax fasciatus is a hardy, silvery tetra ranging from Mexico to Argentina, tolerant of cooler temperatures than most characins.
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).