Featherfin Tetra Care Guide
Hemigrammus unilineatus is a peaceful silver tetra from northern South America with white-tipped fins and easy care.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Hemigrammus unilineatus, the featherfin tetra, is a small South American characin. It is silver with a single dark line and white-tipped dorsal and anal fins. FishBase records a maximum size around 5.3 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae
- Genus: Hemigrammus
- Scientific name: Hemigrammus unilineatus
Habitat
According to FishBase and Seriously Fish, the species occurs across northern South America, including Trinidad, coastal Venezuelan rivers, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and the Amazon and Guaporé basins. It inhabits ponds, ditches and slow-flowing streams, oxbow lakes and tributaries, in waters that may be clear or turbid.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.8
- GH: 4-14 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet
The species is omnivorous. FishBase reports it feeds on small crustaceans, insects and mollusks. Seriously Fish recommends a mix of dried flakes and granules with small live and frozen foods in the aquarium.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful, gregarious schooling tetra best kept in groups of six or more, ideally ten. Seriously Fish notes it does well with other South American species such as tetras, pencilfish and dwarf cichlids, and should be kept away from fin-nippers and aggressive fish.
Breeding
According to Seriously Fish, the species can spawn in pairs or groups in dimly lit, densely planted tanks with soft, acidic water; eggs hatch in roughly 24-36 hours and fry initially require infusoria-grade foods. FishBase describes the species as easy to rear and reproduce in the aquarium.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2021).
Feather-fin Tetra (Hemigrammus unilineatus) Breeding Guide
Overview
Hemigrammus unilineatus is a widespread characin from Central and South America, recorded across Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, the Guianas, Peru, Brazil and the Amazon and Guaporé basins. FishBase describes it as gregarious, non-aggressive and reputedly easy to rear and reproduce in the aquarium. It is an egg-scatterer in the manner of other Hemigrammus and gives no parental care.
Sexing
Sexes can be distinguished by the shape of the swim bladder seen through the body: it tapers to a point in males and is rounded in females. Adult females also tend to be slightly larger and more heavy-bodied than males.
Conditioning
Condition the group on plenty of small live foods. The species can be spawned in a group of around six of each sex or in selected pairs once the females are gravid.
Breeding Setup
- Spawning tank around 18 x 10 x 10 inches, kept very dimly lit.
- Soft, acidic water: pH 5.5-6.5 and hardness around 1-5 gH; peat filtration and reverse-osmosis water help.
- Temperature approximately 27-29 C (80-84 F); the species tolerates 23-28 C.
- Clumps of fine-leaved plants such as java moss or spawning mops, or a mesh base to protect the eggs.
- A gently bubbling air-powered sponge filter.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Eggs are scattered among plants or fall through a protective mesh. Soft acidic water and subdued lighting are the main triggers. Adults should be removed once eggs are seen, as they will eat them.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch in 24-36 hours and the fry become free-swimming about 3-4 days later. Eggs and fry are light sensitive early on, so keep the tank dark where possible. Feed first with infusoria-type foods, then microworm or brine shrimp nauplii.