Dawn tetra

The dawn tetra is a small, understated characin from the coastal river systems of the Guianas, where it lives in soft, tannin-stained blackwater among leaf litter and submerged roots. Its body is translucent silvery-gold with a faint dark shoulder spot and delicate reddish fin tinges. It is a peaceful, active shoaling fish that must be kept in groups of at least eight to feel secure and display natural behaviour; it mixes well with other small tetras, pencilfish, and dwarf corydoras. Provide soft, slightly acidic water, gentle flow, subdued lighting, and plenty of plants or wood. An omnivore, it accepts quality micro-pellets, flake, and small frozen or live foods such as daphnia and cyclops. Stable, mature water and a dark substrate bring out its best colours.