White Star Tetra

About

Sometimes sold under the names 'white star tetra' or 'pepper tetra', this small characid, Axelrodia stigmatias, hails from the upper Amazon basin of Brazil and Peru as well as the middle Madeira River system in Brazil. Soft, acidic blackwater drainages where tannin-stained water and leaf litter define the habitat. Adults rarely exceed an inch in length, with a slim, silvery-yellow body marked by an iridescent spot and a laterally extended blotch on the caudal peduncle. It's a peaceful fish, but its tiny size and preference for soft, acidic conditions mean it doesn't slot easily into a typical community setup. Better candidates for tankmates are similarly small, gentle characids or diminutive catfishes from the same corner of South America. Despite being described as a shoaling rather than a true schooling fish, rival males will regularly spar and claim small territories, which makes a group of at least eight to ten fish well worth the commitment. The fish are noticeably bolder and far more interesting to watch in larger numbers. Breeding is achievable in a well-established, soft-water aquarium with fine-leaved plants and leaf litter, and conditioned adults will spawn daily. The fry benefit from the microorganisms that colonize decomposing leaf litter as a first food source.