Blind Cave Tetra

The Blind Cave Tetra is a freshwater fish that hails from Mexico and belongs to the Characidae family. These fish varieties have lost their vision and their eyes. However, they can still discover their way around by way of their lateral lines that are highly susceptible to changeable water pressure. This fish variety is a schooling type that is a bit violent for the standard tetra society. It is greatest to maintain with a collection of three to six fish in a fish tank with other healthy fish, such as livebearers, small cichlids, catfish and barbs.

Features

The Blind Cave Tetra fish variety can grow to a maximum length of 4.7 inches, and they appear with a pinkish-white body color. These fish varieties are of the typical characin form, with ordinary, dull coloration. However, the blind cave form of the fish is distinguished for having without eyes and being albino, that is to say, totally lacking pigmentation.

Similar to most tetra varieties, the Blind Cave Tetra variety prefers rather a dark environment. It is best to accommodate it in a fish tank that contains numerous bunches of huge plants on the sides and in the back of the tank, with smaller plants in the facade, leaving ample open room for swimming. A layer of hovering plants to distribute the light is also recommended.

Diet

Most Blind Cave Tetra fish are carnivores that feed on small aquatic pests and the larvae of earthly insects. In the aquarium this fish is fed with commercial flake, freezing or freeze-desiccated foods. They also feed on glass worms, bloodworms, Tubifex worms and brine shrimp.

Breeding

As with nearly all tetra varieties, the Blind Cave Tetra variety of fish is an extremely productive breeder. The mature female seems to encompass a fuller body. The fry hatch rapidly within three days, and they start swimming freely from the 6th day. The fish are capable of seeing as fry, but as grownups, they misplace their eyes.

The average lifespan of the Blind Cave Tetra ranges from 3 years to 5 years.