Black tetra Breeding Guide

Breeding Process

The Black Tetra is a moderately challenging fish to breed. They are egg scatterers, which means they will lay their eggs across the aquarium rather than safeguarding them in a nest. To encourage breeding, it is essential to simulate their natural environment as closely as possible. This involves maintaining a tank temperature between 26-28°C and ensuring the pH level is around 7.4. Start by setting up a separate breeding tank with soft, acidic water and a substrate that can catch the eggs, like marbles or a fine mesh. Include plenty of plants, as these can serve as additional hiding spots for the eggs. It's beneficial to condition the breeding pair with high-quality live foods such as brine shrimp and bloodworms to stimulate spawning behavior. Introduce a healthy and well-conditioned pair into the breeding tank. During courtship, you may observe the male displaying more vibrant colors and engaging in a playful chase with the female. Once spawned, the female will scatter the eggs, and the male will follow behind to fertilize them.

Care of the Fry

After the eggs are laid, it's crucial to remove the parents from the breeding tank to prevent them from eating the eggs. The eggs will typically hatch within 24-36 hours. Once hatched, the fry will initially feed on the yolk sacs for the first few days and will become free-swimming after about five days. At this stage, feed the fry with infusoria or commercial fry food. As they grow larger, soft micro foods like micro worms or powdered high-quality fry food can be introduced. Maintain a clean environment with gentle filtration to ensure the water quality remains optimal without strong currents that might harm the fry.

Additional Information

Black Tetras can become slightly more aggressive during breeding, making it essential to monitor their behavior closely to prevent any undue stress. It is advisable to breed them in groups, as the social interaction often encourages spawning. Regular water changes being done carefully will also promote healthy growth in the fry. As the fry mature and grow, they can gradually be acclimated to the main tank conditions before being introduced into the community tank environment.