Levis Tetra (Hemigrammus levis) Breeding Guide
Breeding Hemigrammus levis, an Amazonian egg-scatterer: soft acidic water, fine-plant spawning sites and light-sensitive eggs that hatch in 24-36 hours.
Overview
Hemigrammus levis is a small egg-scattering tetra from the Amazon River basin, reaching about 5-6 cm. Specific captive-breeding accounts are limited, but the species is reported to spawn in the same manner as other Hemigrammus: a non-guarding egg-scatterer requiring soft, slightly acidic water. Adults show no parental care and readily consume their own eggs.
Sexing
Adult females are noticeably rounder in the body than males, particularly when carrying eggs.
Conditioning
Condition the group on plenty of small live foods. Fish can be spawned in a group of around six of each sex or in selected pairs once the females are full of eggs.
Breeding Setup
- Spawning tank around 18 x 10 x 10 inches, kept very dimly lit.
- Slightly soft, acidic water: pH 6.5-7.0 and hardness around 1-10 gH.
- Temperature approximately 27-29 C (80-84 F), within the species range of 24-28 C.
- Clumps of fine-leaved plants such as java moss or spawning mops, or a mesh base allowing eggs to fall through.
- Gentle aeration from a sponge filter.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Eggs are scattered among fine-leaved plants or fall through a mesh base out of the adults' reach. Soft acidic water and dim light encourage spawning. Remove the adults immediately once eggs are detected, as they will eat them.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch in 24-36 hours and the fry are free-swimming roughly 3-4 days later. Eggs and fry are light sensitive in the early stages, so keep the tank dark where possible. Begin feeding with infusoria-type foods, progressing to microworm or brine shrimp nauplii.