1. Introduction
【Child】 Professor, this dazzling fish I saw in the aquarium made me think of the starry night sky from Van Gogh’s painting. Could you tell me more about it?
【Professor】 Ah, you must be talking about Waite’s Tetra! They indeed share a captivating beauty similar to the famous painting. In this article, we shall explore their characteristics, habitat, husbandry requirements, behavior, breeding, and cautions for keeping them in an aquarium.
2. Characteristics
【Child】 The shimmering blue and silver colors remind me of a character from a Shakespeare play, wearing a royal robe. Are all Waite’s Tetras like this?
【Professor】 You have quite an imagination! Waite’s Tetra has a silver-blue body with a hint of iridescence, giving them a royal appearance as you mentioned. Their coloration can vary slightly depending on their environment and diet. They have a compressed body shape and can grow up to 2 inches in length.
3. Habitat
【Child】 In my heart, Waite’s Tetras are like ethereal wood sprites in a dense forest. Where do they really come from, Professor?
【Professor】 Waite’s Tetras originally hail from slow-moving, blackwater rivers and tributaries in South America, particularly in the Amazon Basin. In their natural habitat, they thrive among floating vegetation, dense growth, and submerged roots. In an aquarium, replicating this environment by providing plenty of plants and hiding spots will make them feel at home.
4. Husbandry Requirements
【Child】 How can we create an ideal kingdom for these aquatic kings and queens, Professor?
【Professor】 A kingdom fit for royalty it is! For a small group of Waite’s Tetras, a 20-gallon aquarium is sufficient. Water temperature should be maintained between 73°F and 81°F with a pH level of 6.0 to 7.0. Soft to moderately hard water is preferable. As for food, these little royals are omnivores, so provide a combination of high-quality flakes, pellets, and live or frozen foods, such as brine shrimp and bloodworms.
5. Behavior
【Child】 I imagine a ballroom dance among the Waite’s Tetras, gracefully gliding through the water. What is their behavior like, Professor?
【Professor】 Your imagination is enchanting! Waite’s Tetras are schooling fish, so they are usually found swimming together in groups. They are more active during the day and like to rest in their hiding spots at night. In terms of feeding, they are not picky eaters and consume various types of food in the aquarium.
6. Breeding
【Child】 How do these aquatic Casanovas go about courting their chosen partners, Professor?
【Professor】 In the realm of Waite’s Tetras, males woo the females with their shimmering colors and graceful dance. For successful breeding, set up a separate breeding tank with a sponge filter and soft, slightly acidic water. Provide fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop for the eggs to stick to. After laying the eggs, it is advisable to remove the adults to prevent them from eating the eggs. The fry will hatch in about 24 to 36 hours and can be fed infusoria or finely crushed flakes.
7. Cautions
【Child】 Does the little prince of Waite’s Tetra have any dangers lurking around his royal chambers?
【Professor】 Indeed, one must be cautious when combining Waite’s Tetras with larger or aggressive fish species. They may be seen as a prey or be outcompeted for food. Stick to keeping them with other peaceful, similarly sized tankmates, like other tetra species, corydoras, and peaceful dwarf cichlids.
8. Conclusion
【Child】 So, Professor, Waite’s Tetra truly is a treasure of the aquatic world, isn’t it?
【Professor】 Absolutely! Waite’s Tetras are captivating little jewels of the aquarium, and with proper care and attention, they will thrive and bring joy to their keepers. Just remember to provide them with suitable water conditions, a well-balanced diet, peaceful tankmates, and the opportunity to school together for a harmonious underwater kingdom.