Black Morpho Tetra (Poecilocharax weitzmani)

Species Profile:

• Origin: Native to the upper Rio Negro and Orinoco basins in South America (Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela).
• Environment: They are strictly blackwater specialists, found in shallow, slow-moving forest creeks and “igarape” flooded forests. These waters are typically stained the colour of dark tea by tannins and have an extremely low mineral content.

• Size: A true “nano” fish, reaching a maximum adult length of 3–4 cm.
• Appearance: They possess an elongated, cylindrical body with a striking dark mid-lateral stripe.
• Male Splendour: Males are significantly more colourful, featuring oversized, iridescent dorsal and anal fins adorned with rows of red and gold spots. When displaying, these fins expand like a butterfly’s wings—hence the name “Morpho.”
• Female Appearance: Females are smaller, less colourful, and have shorter, more rounded fins.

• Water Chemistry:
  • pH: 4.0 – 6.5 (extremely acidic to soft).
  • Hardness: Very soft, 0 – 5 dGH.
  • Temperature: 22°C – 28°C.
• Tank Setup: A minimum of 45–60 litres is required for a small colony. The aquarium must be heavily planted and decorated with driftwood and leaf litter (such as Indian Almond leaves) to provide the necessary tannins and hiding spots.
• Filtration: Gentle flow is essential; a sponge filter or a baffled outlet is ideal to prevent these small fish from being buffeted by the current.

• Preferred Foods: Live or frozen Daphnia, Moina, Cyclops, and Baby Brine Shrimp (Artemia).
• Feeding Behaviour: They are “sit-and-wait” predators that prefer to pick food from the water column or surfaces rather than competing for food at the surface.

• Social Structure: Males are territorial. In a small aquarium, it is best to keep one male with several females. If keeping multiple males, the tank must be large enough (90cm+) to allow each to establish a distinct territory.
• Tankmates: They are best kept in a species-only setup or with very peaceful, similar-sized companions like Pencilfish Nanostomus or small Hoplisoma (Corydoras). Avoid fast-moving or boisterous tankmates that will outcompete them for food.

• Spawning: They are cave spawners. The male will entice a female into a small cave or PVC pipe, where she attaches eggs to the ceiling.
• Parental Care: Unusually for tetras, the male guards the eggs until they hatch, fanning them with his fins to provide oxygen and prevent fungus.

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Our nationwide delivery service makes it easy to receive your fish directly at your door, anywhere in the UK, for a flat rate of just £30. This convenient service allows you to order up to 10kg of fish, with the assurance that they will arrive in excellent condition. To make the fishes journey as comfortable as possible we use Oxygen in the fish bags and heat packs in all the boxes of fish we send out.