Banded Astyanax (Astyanax fasciatus)

Banded Astyanax

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Banded Astyanax

Astyanax fasciatus

Difficulty

Moderate

Min. Tank Size

132 Litres (35 US G.)

Size

10.2-12.7cm (4-5 ")

sg

Freshwater

pH

5.5 - 7.5

Temp.

20 -25 °C (68-77°F)

Water Hardness

3-12 °d

Stocking Ratio

1:2 M:F

Availability

Rare

Diet

Omnivore
Pellet Foods
Flake Foods
Live Foods
Other (See article)

Life Span

5-12 years

Habitat

South America

Family

Characidae

Additional names

Banded Astyanax

Additional scientific names

Astyanax aeneus, Astyanax aeneus costaricensis, Astyanax albeolus, Astyanax carolinae, Astyanax fasciatus altior, Astyanax fasciatus fasciatus, Astyanax fasciatus orteguasae, Astyanax grandis, Astyanax hanstroemi, Astyanax heterurus, Astyanax regani, Chalceus fasciatus, Salmo lambari, Tetragonopterus aeneus, Tetragonopterus belizianus, Tetragonopterus cobanensis, Tetragonopterus cuvieri, Tetragonopterus finitimus, Tetragonopterus humilis, Tetragonopterus macrophthalmus, Tetragonopterus microphthalmus, Tetragonopterus oaxacanensis, Tetragonopterus oerstedii, Tetragonopterus orstedii, Tetragonopterus panamensis, Tetragonopterus rutilus, Tetragonopterus rutilus jequitinhonhae, Tetragonopterus viejita

Origin

Found in North, Central and South America: most freshwater basins from Mexico to Argentina.

Sexing

Not easy to sex, females will be fuller in the belly.

Tank compatibility

A large and loosely shoaling fish which will eat smaller fish and fin nip or eat the scales of larger fish. Best kept in large species tanks.

Diet

This fish will accept most foods including pellet and flake, bloodworm, brine shrimp, ghost shrimp and daphnia.

Feeding regime

Feed once or twice a day.

Environment specifics

They should have a very spacious tank with plenty of open swimming space and some current, décor in the form of bogwood and driftwood branches are appreciated. Bright lighting and strong currents are not suitable for this fish.

Behaviour

An active fish which will eat other fish and inverts.

Identification

A rather chunky torpedo-shaped fish with large and highly iridescent scales. The dorsal, anal and pelvic fins are milky white with a hint of orange, while the caudal and adipose fin are orange. There is a black stripe across the caudal peduncle to the base of the caudal fork. The belly of this fish is pale.

External links

• Fishbase (Mirrors:
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