1. Introduction
【Child】: Professor, I’ve been reading Shakespeare lately and there’s this quote that I find intriguing: “Though she be but little, she is fierce!” It got me wondering, do small and fierce creatures exist in the world of aquariums as well?
【Professor】: What a fascinating question! Indeed, there are small yet captivating creatures in the aquarium world. Allow me to introduce you to the Coffee Bean Tetra. This article will discuss its characteristics, habitat, husbandry requirements, behavior, breeding, and cautions.
2. Characteristics
【Child】: So, how tiny is this tetra? Does it have colors as rich as the art of Rembrandt?
【Professor】: The Coffee Bean Tetra grows to around 1.5 inches in length, and its coloration might not be as rich as a Rembrandt painting, but it does have its own unique charm. This little fish has a dark brown to black body with a distinctive vertical bar across its middle, resembling a coffee bean. Its fins are generally clear or have a light yellow hue.
3. Habitat
【Child】: A coffee bean that swims! What Atlantis would it call its realm? And when brought to our realm, how can we recreate its idyllic habitat?
【Professor】: The Coffee Bean Tetra’s Atlantis would be the waterways of South America, particularly in Brazil and Paraguay. They dwell among dense vegetation and slow-moving waters. In an aquarium setting, try to mimic their natural environment by providing plants, driftwood, and subdued lighting. A small group of Coffee Bean Tetras creates a thriving aquatic community and contributes well to the ecosystem.
4. Husbandry Requirements
【Child】: For such a beautiful creature to grace my abode, what must I do to keep them content and thriving, like flowers in Monet’s garden?
【Professor】: Just like tending to Monet’s garden, maintaining a comfortable environment for Coffee Bean Tetras involves paying attention to various factors. First, maintain water temperatures between 72°F and 79°F. Next, water quality is essential, so aim for pH levels between 5.5 and 7, and soft to moderately hard water. A tank size of at least 15-20 gallons is suitable to house a group of these fish comfortably. Feed them high-quality flake food or live and frozen fare such as brine shrimp and daphnia.
5. Behavior
【Child】: Poet Samuel Coleridge wrote avidly about dream-like states; are these Coffee Bean Tetras more nocturnal Lewis Carrolls or energetic Wordsworths?
【Professor】: Both descriptions are quite fitting – Coffee Bean Tetras do exhibit nocturnal behavior, but in the daytime, they become like energetic Wordsworths, swimming actively in groups around the aquarium. Their diet consists of tiny invertebrates that they forage from plants and the water column.
6. Breeding
【Child】: In the divine comedy of Coffee Bean Tetra life, what would a canto about breeding look like?
【Professor】: A canto on their breeding would reveal a slightly acidic and dimly lit spawning tank with abundant plants or spawning mops. The males will court the females by displaying vivid colors and performing dances. The female will scatter her eggs among the plants for the male to fertilize. The eggs usually hatch within a few days, and the fry can be fed with infusoria or other small foods.
7. Cautions
【Child】: Hubris often leads to one’s downfall, so with these mighty beings, must we observe any cautionary tales for their coexistence in the great aquatic Odyssey?
【Professor】: Indeed, one must be cautious when keeping Coffee Bean Tetras. Although generally peaceful, these fish may become nippy if kept in inadequate numbers or poorly designed aquariums. Keep them with other small, passive fish species, and avoid aggressive or large tankmates that might prey upon them.
8. Conclusion
【Professor】: Our journey through the world of Coffee Bean Tetras has revealed their captivating characteristics, ideal habitat, husbandry requirements, behavior, breeding, and the importance of caution when keeping them. Their delightful nature will surely bring joy to your aquarium, just as Shakespearean plays and great works of art continue to captivate audiences around the world.