Blind Cave Tetra
Astyanax mexicanus
Family: Characidae • Origin: Various
Blind Cave Tetra (Astyanax mexicanus) is a semi-aggressive tetra reaching 4.5 inches. Keep in groups of 5+. Minimum tank: 20 gallons.
Min Tank
20 gal
Max Size
4.5"
Temperature
68-82°F
pH
6.5-8
Lifespan
7 years
School Size
5+
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
5-15 dGH
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Care Tips
- • Max size: 4.5"
- • Temp: 68-82°F
- • pH: 6.5-8
- • Schooling: keep 5+
- • semi-aggressive temperament
Feeding: Standard omnivore diet appropriate for Characidae.
Compatibility Notes: Typical semi-aggressive Characidae species.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 30 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
- Minimum School Size
- 5+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 68–82°F
- pH Range
- 6.5–8
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- semi-aggressive
- Aggression Level
- 3/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- Yes
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Typical semi-aggressive Characidae species.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- moderate
- Lifespan
- 7 years
Ideal For
20 gallon
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
70-82°FpH 6-7.515+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+3"
Similar Species
Buenos Aires Tetra
Hyphessobrycon anisitsi
64-82°FpH 6-820+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+3"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Colombian Tetra
Hyphessobrycon columbianus
72-82°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+2.5"
Columbian Red Fin Tetra
Hyphessobrycon columbianus
72-82°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+2.5"