All fish / Characidae

Tucano Tetra

Tucanoichthys tucano

Also known as tucano tetra, toucan tetra, tucan tetra, トゥカノテトラ, 巨嘴鸟灯

A tiny, slender tetra with a dark lateral stripe, orange to reddish tones on the body and a pale belly, looking its best in soft, tannin-stained water. It is kept by blackwater enthusiasts and nano aquarists who want an unusual, peaceful shoaling fish for a dimly lit biotope tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

2.5 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

4.5 to 6.5

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 10 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops and baby brine shrimp, plus fine dry foods

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil: upper Rio Negro basin (Rio Uaupés/Tiquié area)

Breeding

An egg-scattering species with no parental care; spawning has been achieved in very soft, acidic water with fine-leaved plants or a mesh, but it is rarely bred and the minute fry need infusoria at first.

Good to know

Very small and shy, so keep only with equally tiny, peaceful fish and avoid hard or alkaline water. Mostly wild-caught, so quarantine carefully and acclimatise slowly.