January Tetra Care Guide
Hemigrammus hyanuary is a slim peaceful tetra from the Amazon basin with a blue-green lateral stripe, often used as a dither for dwarf cichlids.
Overview
Hemigrammus hyanuary, the January tetra, is a slim, peaceful characin with a blue-green lateral stripe. It is commonly used as a dither fish for dwarf cichlid setups.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae (order Characiformes)
- Genus: Hemigrammus
- Scientific name: Hemigrammus hyanuary
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the Amazon River basin in South America, as a benthopelagic freshwater fish of tropical waters.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L
- Temperature: 23-28 °C (FishBase reports 23-27 °C)
- pH: 5.5-7.5 (FishBase 6.0-7.5)
- GH: 2-12 °dGH (FishBase up to 15 dH)
- Maximum size: about 4.4 cm TL (FishBase)
- School size: 8 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 and an effective dither fish that encourages shy tankmates to venture out. Suitable companions include dwarf cichlids such as Apistogramma and Corydoras; aggressive species should be avoided.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2021).