头尾灯 · Head-and-tail light Tetra

Overview

The lively, peaceful head-and-tail light tetra, Holopristis ocellifera, is widely bred in captivity and generally adapts well to aquarium life. A proper shoal and generous plant cover help it show better color than an exposed, sparsely furnished setup.

Distribution & habitat

Wild populations occur in parts of Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Peru, and Brazil. Slow rivers, tributaries, and floodplain lakes provide habitat. Commercial breeding supplies much of the trade, so production locations should not be confused with its native range.

Aquarium setup

Dense planting works well. Alternatively, use sand, wood, roots, and leaves under subdued lighting. Replace old leaves before excessive decay pollutes the water. Softer conditions toward the acidic side favor its appearance.

Diet & feeding

Flakes and small granules are readily accepted. Regular small live or frozen foods, including bloodworms, water fleas, and brine shrimp, support good condition and coloration.

Behaviour & compatibility

Keep at least six, preferably ten or more. Suitable small livebearers, danios, rasboras, other tetras, gentle bottom dwellers, and some gouramis or dwarf cichlids can share the aquarium. Avoid larger fish capable of swallowing it.

Sexual dimorphism

Females usually become slightly larger and fuller. A more pointed male swim bladder versus a rounded female outline is reportedly visible through the body and can provide an additional clue.

Breeding

Spawning is relatively straightforward. Use a separate darkened aquarium with fine plants or mops, or protect the eggs beneath a suitable mesh. Soft acidic water and gentle sponge filtration are appropriate. Condition adults on small live foods, then use a group or introduce a selected ripe pair in the evening; laying often follows the next morning.

Remove adults promptly after spawning. Eggs normally hatch within about a day to a day and a half. Fry swim freely roughly three or four days afterward, requiring infusoria-sized food before progressing to microworms and brine shrimp nauplii. Early eggs and larvae are light-sensitive, so keep the rearing area dark.

Notes

An albino strain has the same basic care needs. The validity of certain historical subspecies names is questionable; tail markings alone do not justify a new taxonomic assignment.