Pristella Tetra
The pristella tetra (pristella riddlei) is aptly also called the water
goldfinch and the x-ray fish. Easily bred and quite hardy, the pristella is
distinguished by a black band on its dorsal fin that is bordered by gold and
white. Translucent to a degree that it seems near transparent at times, this
characin also has an albino phase where the black band is absent and the fish is
strikingly golden with fins bordered in sable. The albino phase often is
referred to as the Golden X-Ray.
The pristella tetra originates in the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers of Venezuela and
Guyana. Like other characins, it’s an unaggressive fish that prefers the
community tank and life in a school of six or more of its peers. Slower moving
than many other tetras, the pristella tetra adds balance to a lively community
tank.
Because pristella tetras are less easily stressed than some other tetra family
members are, they are a good fish for the beginning aquarist. The pristella
tetra is tolerant of poorer water conditions and temperature fluctuations than
many other characins. Still, pristella tetras should be kept with only other
unaggressive fish of their own size. Like other tetras, they prefer low light
levels and well planted tanks with additional hiding places of strategically
placed rocks or driftwood on a dark substrate.
A standard diet of flake food is acceptable to the pristella tetra, but for the
fish to display optimum color, live food should be fed as well. Separate males
and females prior to spawning and feed them a live food diet. Pristella tetras
are also egg scatters, which spawn in fine-leaved plant clusters. To keep adult
fish from ingesting their eggs, parent fish should be removed immediately after
spawning. The tiny fry will thrive on feedings of live artemia brine shrimp.
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