Pristella maxillaris
The Pristella maxillaris can reach a length of about 5 centimeters. This little fish has a transparent color, with a red tail, although that is not always easy to see, the fins are yellow with black. The female is usually a bit thicker and larger than the male.
Origin
Venezuela, Guyana, Brazil
The Aquarium
You need a 60-centimeter aquarium for these fish. Furnish the tank with dense border vegetation, dark bottom, subdued lighting and some hiding places. Also provide plenty of swimming space.
Water parameters
Temperature: 22-28 degrees.
PH: 6-7
GH: 4-19
In nature, fish have to deal with fluctuating temperatures. Keeping fish at the minimum or maximum temperature for a long time is not always desirable and can shorten the average lifespan of the animals.
Diet
The Pristella is a true omnivore, frozen food, live food such as mosquito larvae, cyclops and artemia, supplement with dry food. Feeding artemia enhances the red coloration of its tail.
Character
It is a shoal fish best kept with 6 to 10 of them, if you don’t do this they become shy and lose their beautiful colors. You can easily keep them with other species in a community tank, they are not demanding.
Breeding
Breeding is quite easy, make sure the parents are well-fed beforehand and transfer them to a breeding tank with soft water and some java moss. The temperature may be 27 degrees. You must have a pair that “clicks” well with each other. They deposit about 200 eggs, then catch the parents. Raise the young with newly hatched artemia and cyclops.
Video
Author
Coby
Copyright images
Hung-Jou Chen
Andy Rapson – Fishtanksandponds.co.uk (original website no longer online)
