Description
Pristella Tetra (Pristella maxillaris)
Overview
The X-Ray Tetra (Pristella maxillaris), also known as the Pristella Tetra or Water Goldfinch, is a small, peaceful freshwater fish native to the Amazon River basin (Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela), particularly in coastal rivers and brackish waters. Growing to about 4–5 cm, it features a translucent body with a silvery-yellow hue, a black horizontal stripe, and distinctive black, white, and yellow markings on the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. Its hardiness, adaptability, and schooling Behaviour make it an excellent choice for community aquariums, ideal for both beginner and experienced aquarists.
Care Requirements
- Tank Size: Minimum 60 liters with at least 60 cm frontage for a group of 6–10 fish. Larger tanks (70–100 liters) are preferred for active swimming and shoaling.
- Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 23–28°C, ideally 24–26°C
- pH: 6.0–8.0 (highly adaptable, 6.5–7.0 optimal for breeding)
- Hardness: 2–20 dGH (soft to moderately hard, 4–10 dGH for breeding)
- Nitrate: <50 mg/L
- Use a dechlorinator during water changes to neutralize tap water.
- Filtration: Gentle flow filter (sponge or hang-on-back) to maintain clean water without strong currents, though they tolerate moderate flow due to their coastal habitat.
- Substrate: Dark, fine gravel or sand to enhance colouration and mimic natural riverbeds.
- Décor: Moderately planted tank with fine-leaved plants (e.g., Java moss, Cabomba, Anubias) and floating plants (e.g., Amazon frogbit) for cover. Add driftwood or leaf litter to simulate natural conditions. Ensure ample open swimming space.
- Lighting: Moderate to subdued to reduce stress and highlight their translucent appearance. Floating plants help diffuse light.
- Cover: Secure lid required, as they may jump when startled.
Maintenance
- Water Changes: Replace 20–30% of water every 1–2 weeks to maintain quality and prevent nitrate/ammonium buildup.
- Tank Cleaning: Gently vacuum substrate and clean filter media monthly to avoid pollution. Avoid overstocking to minimize waste.
- Monitoring: Test water parameters (temperature, pH, hardness, nitrate) weekly to ensure stability, as fluctuations can stress fish despite their hardiness.
- Health: Monitor for signs of stress (fading colours, hiding) or diseases like ich (white spots) or fin rot. Quarantine affected fish to prevent spread.
- Lifespan: 4–7 years with proper care.
Diet
- Natural Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on small invertebrates, insect larvae, crustaceans, and plant matter in the wild.
- Aquarium Diet:
- High-quality flakes or micropellets (e.g., TetraMin, Hikari Micro Pellets) as a staple.
- Live or frozen foods (brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, cyclops) to enhance health and colouration.
- Occasional vegetable matter (e.g., spirulina flakes, blanched zucchini) for variety.
- Feeding Frequency: Small portions 2–3 times daily, ensuring food is consumed within 1–2 minutes to avoid water pollution. They feed in mid-to-upper water layers.
- Variety: A diverse diet promotes vibrant fin markings and overall health.
Behaviour and Compatibility
- Behaviour: Peaceful, active, and shoaling, requiring groups of 6–10+ (preferably 10–15) to feel secure and display natural schooling Behaviour. Solitary or small groups become shy, stressed, or prone to illness. They swim in mid-to-upper water layers and are more confident in planted tanks with cover.
- Compatibility: Highly adaptable and ideal for community tanks with small, non-aggressive species.
- Suitable tankmates:
- Small tetras (e.g., Neon Tetras, Ember Tetras), rasboras, danios
- Peaceful bottom-dwellers (e.g., Corydoras, Otocinclus, Kuhli loaches)
- Dwarf cichlids (e.g., Apistogramma, Bolivian Rams), small livebearers (e.g., guppies, platies)
- Avoid large, predatory, or fin-nipping fish (e.g., large cichlids, tiger barbs) that may intimidate or harm them.
- Can coexist with most tetras, but monitor for competition in small tanks.
- Mixing Species: Suitable for mixed tetra tanks, but avoid overcrowding to prevent stress or resource competition.
Breeding Behaviour
Reproduction: Moderately easy to breed with proper setup. Egg scatterers, laying 100–200 small, translucent eggs among plants or spawning mops. Parents may eat eggs, so removal post-spawning is necessary.
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.
