Edit Nematobrycon lacortei

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Name

Scientific name

Nematobrycon lacortei

Described by

Authority Weitzman & Fink, Year 1971

Family

Characidae

Common names

Rainbow Tetra

Photograph credits

All 5 credited

Summary

The rainbow tetra, Nematobrycon lacortei, is a small characid from western Colombia, considered endemic to the Río San Juan system. All rec…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

36mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Minimum height 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 20–28°C, pH 5–7.2

Hardness

1–10dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Colombia, Calima, San Juan (Colombia)

Writing

Etymology

Nematobrycon: from the Ancient Greek νῆμα (nêma), meaning 'thread', in reference to the extended filamentous rays in the caudal-fin of member species, and βρύκ…

Distribution

Considered endemic to the Río San Juan river system, which drains the departments of Choco and Valle de Cauca in western Colombia. All records of N. lacortei a…

Habitat

Apparently restricted to small, isolated forest pools in headwaters of the Río Calima, presumably above the Calima Dam.

Aquarium size

An aquarium with dimensions of 120 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent should be the smallest considered.

Maintenance

Choice of décor is not especially critical, although this species tends to show better colouration when maintained in a well-furnished aquarium with live plant…

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Probably an opportunistic omnivore by nature. In the aquarium it is easily-fed but the best condition and colours offer regular meals of small live and frozen …

Behaviour and compatibility

This species is relatively peaceful making it an ideal resident of the well-researched community aquarium, although adult males are territorial and aggressive …

Sexual dimorphism

Adult males possess red eyes and more-extended dorsal, anal, and caudal fins than females, plus they are generally more colourful. Adult females possess blue-g…

Reproduction

Said to breed in a similar way to its congener N. palmeri. A small, very dimly-lit aquarium containing clumps of fine-leaved plants or spawning mops should be …

Said to breed in a similar way to its congener N. palmeri. A small, very dimly-lit aquarium containing clumps of fine-leaved plants or spawning mops should be used. Alternatively, the aquarium base can be covered with some kind of mesh of a large enough grade so that eggs can fall through it, but small enough so that the adults cannot reach them. The water should be soft and acidic in the range pH 5.0-7.0, gH 1-8, with a temperature of around 24 – 26.5 °C75 – 80 °F. A small air-powered sponge filter can also be included.

The fish are best conditioned in separate male and female groups. When the females are noticeably gravid a single pair should be selected and transferred to the small aquarium in the evening, with spawning tending to occur the following morning. Eggs are deposited in small batches, thus spawning may continue for several hours. If you cannot see eggs after a couple of days remove the fish and repeat the process with a different pair.

The adults will eat their eggs given the chance and should be removed post-spawning. The eggs typically hatch in 24-36 hours, with the fry free swimming 4-5 days later. They should be fed on an infusoria-grade food for the first week or so, until they are large enough to accept microworm, Artemia nauplii, and suchlike.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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DOI

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Year

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Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Notes

The genus Nematobrycon currently comprises two species, both of which are endemic to western Colombia with N. palmeri the more widespread. They are quite simil…

References

1 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References