Paraguay Bloodfin (Aphyocharax paraguayensis) Care Guide
Aphyocharax paraguayensis is a small, active South American tetra, also known as the dawn tetra, from streams of the Amazon and Paraguay river basins.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Aphyocharax paraguayensis is a small, active characin from South America, also known as the dawn tetra. It is a silvery fish with red-tipped fins. FishBase treats Aphyocharax paraguayensis as a synonym of Aphyocharax nattereri, under which most biological data is recorded.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae
- Genus: Aphyocharax
- Scientific name: Aphyocharax paraguayensis
- Senior synonym: Aphyocharax nattereri
Habitat
Under the name Aphyocharax nattereri, FishBase records the species from the Amazon and Paraguay River basins. Seriously Fish lists southern Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, in streams, rivers and tributaries that are usually shaded by floating or overhanging vegetation.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.5-8.0
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
The species is omnivorous. According to Seriously Fish it is unfussy and accepts most dried, frozen and live foods.
Compatibility
Seriously Fish describes it as a shoaling species that should be kept in groups of at least six. It is generally peaceful but may nip at long-finned or slow-moving tankmates, and its constant activity can disturb sedentary species.
Breeding
The species is an egg-scatterer. Seriously Fish reports that breeding requires soft, acidic water (pH 5.5-6.0, GH 2-5°), with eggs hatching in about 24 hours; fry first need infusoria-type foods, progressing to microworms and brine shrimp. The species is described as quite fecund, capable of producing several hundred fry.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 4 March 2021), as reported by FishBase for Aphyocharax nattereri.
Paraguay Bloodfin (Aphyocharax paraguayensis) Breeding Guide
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.