[Q] Fruit Tetras

BluSponge

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Feb 7, 1997, 3:00:00 AM2/7/97

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I've added a few of these to my tank. They have a rounded body
(Pacu-shaped) and are various pastel colors (blue and pink). The store I
bought them from labels them as blueberry and strawberry tetra. I highly
doubt these are natural colors.

What I want to know is: what are they??? What is their scientific name,
how big do they get, what water qualities do they prefer? I'd also like
to hear from people with experience in keeping them in case they have any
special needs.

Tom

--
"When two trains approach each other at a crossing, they shall both come to a full stop and neither shall start up until the other has gone"

- a law in Kansas

Nathanael Henderson

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Feb 8, 1997, 3:00:00 AM2/8/97

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: I've added a few of these to my tank. They have a rounded body

: (Pacu-shaped) and are various pastel colors (blue and pink). The store I
: bought them from labels them as blueberry and strawberry tetra. I highly
: doubt these are natural colors.

Good call. :-) They have been dyed--the color will fade in time. I
don't know the species name, but the un-altered ones are sometimes sold
as 'white skirt tetras'. At any rate, they're true tetras, native to
South America, prefering warm, soft, slightly acidic water, but are
quite adaptable. Adult size is about 2"-2.5". Flake and other dry foods
are usually readily taken.

Nathan H.

Lawrence

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Feb 10, 1997, 3:00:00 AM2/10/97

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I heard they were called Rainbow tetras. I don't know if the color is
natural, probably not, but it doesn't completely go away, it fades, but can
get bright again at times. I have 7, blue, pink, lavander and peach. I
have had 4 of them for quite a while and 3 for about 7 months. They are
hardy and reletively peaceful. I only feed TetraRuby and so far, so good.
My mom has a few and uses what ever fish flakes are on sale. Mine are
housed with two angels, an algea eater and an irradesant shark. Sorry I
can't tell you more. The biggest is about quarter size, maybe a bit
bigger. Hope you can find what you're looking for. Enjoy your fish.
Bobbie

Dean Hougen

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Feb 10, 1997, 3:00:00 AM2/10/97

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See the FAQ.

http://www.cco.caltech.edu/~aquaria/Faq/fish-popular.html#dyed-fish

Dean Hougen
--
"Say something once, why say it again?" - Talking Heads

Randy Characin

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Feb 10, 1997, 3:00:00 AM2/10/97

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BluSponge wrote:
>
> I've added a few of these to my tank. They have a rounded body
> (Pacu-shaped) and are various pastel colors (blue and pink). The store I
> bought them from labels them as blueberry and strawberry tetra. I highly
> doubt these are natural colors.
>

> What I want to know is: what are they??? What is their scientific name,
> how big do they get, what water qualities do they prefer? I'd also like
> to hear from people with experience in keeping them in case they have any
> special needs.
>
> Tom
>
> --
> "When two trains approach each other at a crossing, they shall both come to a full stop and neither shall start up until the other has gone"
>
> - a law in Kansas

These are NOT natural. They are "White Skirt" tetras dyed various
colors. White Skirts are a white form of the Black Tetra (genus:
Gymnocorymbus ).

-- Randy Carey