Paraguay Bloodfin (Aphyocharax paraguayensis) Breeding Guide
Breeding the Paraguay bloodfin (Aphyocharax paraguayensis, a synonym of A. nattereri): a fecund egg-scatterer spawned in soft acidic water, eggs hatching in about 24 hours.
Overview
The Paraguay bloodfin is traded as Aphyocharax paraguayensis, but that name has been treated as a synonym of Aphyocharax nattereri (the dawn tetra) since 2003. It is a small characin (about 30-35 mm) from southern Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. It is an egg-scatterer and, considering its size, quite fecund, offering no parental care.
Sexing
Females are fuller-bodied when in breeding condition. Males show stronger markings on the anal fin than females.
Conditioning
Condition the group in a separate tank on a high-quality diet of frozen and live foods until the females are noticeably full of eggs.
Breeding Setup
- A dimly lit spawning tank with a gentle air-powered sponge filter.
- Soft, acidic water: hardness around 2-5 gH and pH 5.5-6.0, with reverse-osmosis water if needed.
- Clumps of fine-leaved plants such as java moss to act as a spawning medium.
- Because the eggs are non-adhesive and may fall or even float, a protective base such as mesh helps keep them from the adults.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The eggs are usually deposited among the plants but are not adhesive, so many fall to the tank floor or float. Soft acidic water is the main trigger. The species is fecund and a single spawning may yield several hundred fry, but the adults will eat the eggs and must be removed afterwards.
Egg & Fry Care
The eggs hatch in about 24 hours. Once free-swimming, the fry require infusoria-type food for the first few days, followed by microworm and/or brine shrimp nauplii.