Niger tetra (Arnoldichthys spilopterus)

Scientific name: Arnoldichthys spilopterus Boulenger, 1909

Niger tetra (Arnoldichthys spilopterus)

The Niger tetra (Arnoldichthys spilopterus) is a freshwater fish of the family Alestidae that grows to about 9.5 cm (3.7 in). It is easy to keep and peaceful, suits community aquariums and needs a tank of at least 115 L (30 US gal), water at 23–28°C (73–82°F) and a pH of 6.0–8.0. Native range: Africa, Niger and Ogun rivers in Nigeria.

Niger tetra care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Temperament
Peaceful
Community tank
Excellent
Adult size
9.5 cm (3.7 in)
Minimum tank
115 L (30 US gal)
Temperature
23–28°C (73–82°F)
pH
6.0–8.0
Hardness
5–19 dGH (89–339 ppm)
Diet
Omnivore. Accepts flakes, frozen foods and live foods.

Biology

Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11. Parietal fontanel absent. Sexual dimorphism on anal fin: females - hyaline with black spot on rays beneath adipose fin, males - lemon yellow (sometimes red-yellow) with 5 dark or black bands and colored margin. Two lateral bands, upper red-orange, lower blue-green. Upper part of eye red. Dorsal with black spot lined with a clear zone which occupies 2/3 of the anterior portion of the dorsal. Scales below lateral big. Caudal stripe extending in middle of caudal fin from base to fork.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Arnoldichthys spilopterus
Family
Alestidae (African tetras)
Order
Characiformes (Characins)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
9.6
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 19 pelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: lower Niger and Ogun rivers in Nigeria.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Vulnerable (VU) (B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v))
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Aquarium: commercial
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec=1000)

More tetras & characins

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Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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