Niger tetra
📖 Overview
Feeds on worms, insects and crustaceans. In aquaria, female lays up to 1000 eggs, after vigorous driving by the male, which hatch in 30 to 34 hours . Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 100 cm .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14. Diagnosis: scales distinctly larger above than below lateral-line; 8 teeth in outer tooth row of upper jaw; parietal fontanel absent . : fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Niger tetra is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; pelagic; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 19. Tropical; 23°C - 28°C
🌿 Ecology
worms, insects and crustaceans
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Niger tetra is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Niger tetra is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Niger tetra has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | African Red-eyed Tetra · African Redeye Tetra · African red-eyed characin · Arnold's Red-eyed Characin · Niger tetra · Redeye characin |
| 🌍CES | afrotetra červenooká |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Arnolds tetra · Guinea-karpelaks |
| 🇩🇪German | Afrikanischer Großschuppensalmler · Afrikanischer Rotaugensalmler · Arnolds Großschuppensalmler |
| 🌍EST | Aafrika arnoldikala |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | Guineantetra · Palettitetra |
| 🇵🇱Polish | Swiecik wielkoluski |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Тетра Арнольда |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petersius spilopterus | Boulenger | 1909 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 33 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Niger tetra ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.