Pristella Tetra 10 pack

The Pristella Tetra Pristella maxillaris is a very pretty little characin. It’s known as the X-Ray Fish because its silvery yellow body is quite transparent. It has striking fin coloration. Its dorsal and anal fins have white tips and a striking stripe pattern of a yellow stripe followed by a black stripe. The tail fin is either red or pink. A popular albino variety has also been developed that is more subdued in color overall, but has pink eyes and pink spots. Other common names that describe this beauty include Golden Pristella Tetra, Water Goldfinch, X-ray Tetra, and Pinktailed Tetra.

This popular aquarium fish is the only species in the Pristella genus, and all specimens available in the hobby are commercially bred. In nature the Pristella Tetra inhabits the northeastern coastal waters of South America. During the dry season it lives in streams and tributaries. Then during the rainy season, it moves with the rising waters onto the savannah, where it spawns among the flooded vegetation.

The Pristella Tetra is an excellent fish for the beginner. It is extremely hardy and undemanding and not at all choosy about water type. In nature, it is found in brackish water as well as soft water. It can even withstand very hard water, though it will do best in soft. A dark substrate and subdued lighting will show off the X-Ray Fish at its best and enhance its colors. However, this tetra will not get its full color in hard water or under bright light.

The Pristella Tetra is easy to keep in other respects as well. It is a peaceful community member and is a fairly prolific breeder, though the tiny fry can be tricky to rear. It’s a very active schooling fish, so needs a 60 to 90 litre aquarium, but is harmless to other fish and plants. A school of 6 or more of these characins is really striking when maintained in a heavily planted aquarium.

• Species – Hyphessobrycon Pulchripinnis
• Common Name – Lemon Tetra
• Origin – Amazon river basin and Araguaia river, in Peru and Brazil
• Diet – Omnivore
• PH Range – 6 – 7.5
• Temperature – Tropical 24-28°c
• Breed Type – egg layer
• Current Size – approximately 3cm (Grows to approximately 5cm)
• Sex – Un-sexed