The Red and Blue Columbian Tetra is one of my favourite tropical fish - certainly from among the Tetras. When mature, a school of these Tetras in aquaria are truly beautiful to behold.
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NATURAL RANGE:
As the common name of this species of Tetra suggests, the natural range of the Red and Blue Columbian Tetra is to be found in Colombia, South America. More specifically this Terta is known from the Rio Acandi.
DESCRIPTION:
The Red and Blue Columbian Tetra belongs to the Characin (Characidae) family.
The Red and Blue Columbian Tetra grows to a size of about 50-70mm, with the males growing slightly larger than the females.
The Red and Blue Columbian Tetra has shadings of blue through the upper body, with red shades in the fins. The remainder of the fish is silvery. The colours become more pronounced with maturity.
Males are difficult to distinguish from females prior to maturity, when their fins become more developed.
Red and Blue Columbian Tetras will live for about 5 years.
TANK REQUIREMENTS:
Red and Blue Columbian Tetras make very good community fish, causing very little disturbance to other fish in the tank. There is some suggestion that they may be 'nippy' toward smaller fish.
Like most Tetras, Red and Blue Columbian Tetras should be kept in schools of 6 or more for maximum effect and happiness.
Red and Blue Columbian Tetra like a well planted tank, with ample swimming space at the front of the tank being best. They may nibble at some of the vegetation. Subdued lighting is probably best for these fish, though good vegetation cover across the top of the tank seems ample.
I have kept Red and Blue Columbian Tetras in a six-foot tank along with Congo Tetras, various Gouramis, Angel Fish, Various Platies, Swordtails and a variety of Corydora Catfish.
The Red and Blue Columbian Tetra is a mid-tank dweller, and should be kept in tanks of no less than 20 litres (5 gallons).
The temperature range for the Red and Blue Tetra is 21 to 28 degrees Celsius, with a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0.
FEEDING:
Red and Blue Columbian Tetras will eat most flakes and frozen bloodworms.
BREEDING:
Red and Blue Columbian Tetras are typical adhesive egg scatterers, with eggs being laid among the vegetation. There will be several spawnings over the space of a couple of days. The eggs should be kept separate from the parents and other fish or they will be eaten.
The small fry should be fed infusoria or other prepared fry food in the early days, before being fed flakes. They will probably eat well ground flakes.
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29/07/2006