Featherfin Tetra (stictus) Care Guide
Hemigrammus stictus is a compact characin from the Amazon, Negro and Orinoco basins, kept as a peaceful schooling fish in soft, acidic water.
Overview
Hemigrammus stictus is a compact characin with a red caudal base, kept as a peaceful schooling fish for soft, acidic community aquariums.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae (order Characiformes)
- Genus: Hemigrammus
- Scientific name: Hemigrammus stictus
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the Amazon and Negro River basins, the Orinoco River basin, and coastal rivers in Guyana, as a benthopelagic freshwater fish.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 23-28 °C (FishBase reports 23-27 °C)
- pH: 5.5-7.0 (FishBase 6.0-7.0)
- GH: 1-10 °dGH
- Maximum size: about 4.3 cm TL (FishBase; up to 6 cm also reported)
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet
The species is omnivorous and accepts small dried, frozen and live foods in the aquarium, fed twice daily.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful mid-water schooler suited to soft, acidic community tanks. Suitable companions include Cardinal tetras and dwarf cichlids such as Apistogramma; aggressive species should be avoided.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2021).