Dash-dot Tetra

About

The dash-dot tetra (Hemigrammus bellottii) is a compact little characin from the river systems of South America, including the Solimões, Negro, and Maroni basins. In the wild it turns up across a range of habitats, from headwaters to the lower stretches of larger rivers, which hints at a degree of adaptability. Its common name refers to the distinctive lateral marking that runs along its flank. A combination of a horizontal dash and a spot that sets it apart from the many similarly sized tetras it could be confused with at a glance. Coloration is otherwise fairly subdued, with the silvery body typical of small characins, making that marking the key identification feature. Wild fish feed heavily on arthropods, particularly aquatic insect larvae from groups like caddisflies and midges, as well as ants that fall from bankside vegetation. So in the aquarium, varied foods including small live or frozen invertebrates will help keep them at their best. These are peaceful schooling fish that do well in a group, and they fit comfortably into a community setup with other small, non-aggressive species. Given their origin in softer, slightly acidic waters, they show best color and behavior when water conditions reflect that. Intermediate care is a fair assessment.