Description
Emperor Tetra (Nematobrycon palmeri)
Overview
The Emperor Tetra, Nematobrycon palmeri, is a striking freshwater fish native to slow-moving rivers and streams in Colombia, particularly the San Juan River basin. Renowned for its vibrant colors—iridescent blue-green body with a bold black horizontal stripe and bright blue eyes in males—it’s a popular choice for community aquariums. Emperor Tetras are slightly larger than other tetras and have a regal appearance, making them a standout in planted tanks.
- Scientific Name: Nematobrycon palmeri
- Size: 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm)
- Lifespan: 3–6 years (up to 8 with optimal care)
- Temperament: Peaceful, slightly territorial among males
- Tank Level: Mid-water column
Care Requirements
Emperor Tetras are relatively hardy but thrive best under specific conditions:
Tank Size: Minimum 75 liters for a school of 6–8 fish. Larger tanks (110+ liters) support their active swimming and group dynamics.
Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 73–81°F (23–27°C)
- pH: 5.5–7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Hardness: 2–15 dGH (soft to moderately hard water)
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: <20 ppm
- Substrate: Fine gravel, sand, or a planted substrate to mimic their natural habitat. Dark substrates enhance their colors.
- Filtration: Moderate filtration with gentle flow (e.g., sponge or canister filter) to avoid stressing these mid-water swimmers.
- Lighting: Low to moderate; they prefer subdued lighting but tolerate brighter setups with ample plants or hiding spots.
- Decor: Include dense vegetation (e.g., Java fern, Amazon sword, or Vallisneria), driftwood, and caves to provide cover and replicate their natural environment.
Maintenance
Water Changes: Perform 25–30% water changes weekly to maintain water quality. Use dechlorinated water matched to tank parameters.
Tank Cleaning: Lightly vacuum substrate during water changes to remove debris without disturbing plants or decor.
Equipment Checks: Regularly inspect filters, heaters, and thermometers to ensure stable conditions.
Plant Maintenance: Trim overgrown plants to maintain open swimming spaces while keeping hiding spots intact.
Diet
Emperor Tetras are omnivorous with a preference for small foods:
Staple Diet: High-quality flakes or micro-pellets (e.g., TetraMin, Omega One Freshwater Flakes).
Supplementary Foods:
- Live or frozen foods: Brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia.
- Blanched vegetables: Spinach or zucchini (small amounts).
- Feeding Frequency: Feed small amounts 2–3 times daily, ensuring food is consumed within 1–2 minutes to prevent overfeeding.
Note: They feed primarily in the mid-water column, so ensure food is accessible before it sinks or is taken by bottom-dwellers.
Behavior and Compatibility
Behavior: Emperor Tetras are peaceful but can show mild territoriality, especially among males. They are active swimmers, preferring schools of 6 or more to feel secure and display vibrant colors. Males may flare fins or chase each other briefly, but this rarely leads to harm.
Compatibility:
- Good Tankmates: Small, peaceful fish like neon tetras, rasboras, guppies, Corydoras (e.g., Corydoras sterbai), Ember Tetras (Hyphessobrycon amandae), and peaceful invertebrates like cherry shrimp.
- Avoid: Aggressive or predatory fish (e.g., large cichlids, oscars) and fin-nippers (e.g., tiger barbs). Avoid overly boisterous fish that may stress them.
- Social Needs: Keep in groups of 6–8 to reduce stress and encourage natural schooling. Smaller groups may lead to shyness or aggression among males.
Reproduction
Emperor Tetras are egg-scatterers and can breed in captivity with proper conditions:
Breeding Setup:
- Tank: Use a 40-60 liters breeding tank with soft, acidic water (pH 5.5–6.5, 2–8 dGH) and temperature around 25-27°C.
- Conditions: Include fine-leaved plants (e.g., Java moss) or spawning mops for egg deposition. Dim lighting and a dark substrate encourage spawning.
- Group: Use a 1:1 or 2:1 male-to-female ratio. Males have brighter colors, blue eyes, and extended dorsal/anal fins; females are duller and rounder.
Spawning Process:
Spawning is triggered by soft water, a slight temperature increase, and a diet rich in live foods.
Females scatter 50–100 eggs among plants or spawning mops, which males fertilize.
Eggs hatch in 24–48 hours at 26°C.
- Egg Care: Remove adults after spawning to prevent egg predation. Maintain stable water quality and consider adding methylene blue to prevent fungal growth.
- Fry Care: Feed fry infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week, transitioning to baby brine shrimp or crushed flakes. Perform small, frequent water changes to keep water pristine.
- Challenges: Fry are small and sensitive to water parameter changes. Breeding may require multiple attempts for success.
Additional Tips
- Observation: Watch for signs of stress (e.g., faded colors, hiding, or fin damage). Quarantine new fish to prevent disease introduction.
- Enrichment: Provide a mix of open swimming areas and dense vegetation to encourage natural behavior and reduce male territoriality.
- Health Concerns: Susceptible to ich, fin rot, or stress-related illnesses. Treat with aquarium-safe medications and address underlying issues like poor water quality.
- Color Enhancement: A varied diet, dark substrate, and stable tank conditions enhance their iridescent colors.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Either come in store to view available stock or request pictures to be sent to you.
Please Note: Due to variations within species resulting from age, region, sex, etc., the actual livestock may not look identical to the image. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimens.
