{"product_id":"pristella-tetra-pristella-maxillaris","title":"Pristella Tetra | Pristella maxillaris","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Pristella or X-Ray Tetra is a cheerful, glass-clear little fish with bold black-and-white flag markings on its fins and a flash of yellow. Hardy, peaceful and unusually adaptable, it is one of the easiest tetras going and a superb beginner shoaler. It stays small at around 4.5–5 cm and looks its best in a group of six or more.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePristella maxillaris is widespread across northern South America, in the coastal river systems, savannah pools and floodplains of the Amazon and Orinoco basins and the Guianas. It tolerates a wide range of conditions, including slightly brackish coastal water, which is why it is so adaptable. Planting, some shade and gentle flow recreate its home.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA translucent, silvery body through which the shimmering swim bladder and backbone are visible — hence \"X-ray\". The dorsal and anal fins carry striking black, white and yellow bands, and the tail has a reddish flush. Colour and contrast in the fins are strongest in a settled, well-fed shoal.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eEntirely peaceful and sociable, an ideal community tetra. It shoals happily and mixes well with other small, gentle fish. Kept in too small a group it can become nervous, so a proper shoal of six or more gives the most confident behaviour and the least fin-flicking.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn easy micro-omnivore that takes quality flake and micro-pellets, plus frozen and live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, bloodworm and brine shrimp. A varied diet keeps it healthy and brings out the yellow and red in the fins. Feed small amounts a couple of times a day.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 60 L, with 75 L or larger better for a good shoal. Keep temperature at 22–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.5 (tolerating up to about 8.0) and soft to moderately hard water, GH around 4–12 dGH — this species is notably forgiving. Good filtration and regular water changes keep it in fine condition. An excellent first tetra.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn egg-scattering species that spawns among fine-leaved plants in soft, slightly acidic water, giving no parental care and readily eating its own eggs. A separate, dimly-lit breeding tank with a spawning mop and the parents removed after spawning gives the best fry survival. Conditioning with live foods helps trigger spawning.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePristella maxillaris\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eX-Ray \/ Pristella Tetra\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNorthern South America (Amazon, Orinoco, Guianas)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 4.5–5 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–5 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (schooling)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (micro): flake, micro-pellet, frozen and live foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to moderately hard, around 4–12 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful community and planted aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other small tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, corydoras, otocinclus, dwarf gouramis, peaceful dwarf cichlids and shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with large or aggressive fish, notorious fin-nippers, and anything big enough to eat a small tetra.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232817266979,"sku":"AA1528","price":5.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Pristella_Tetra.jpg?v=1781484075","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/pristella-tetra-pristella-maxillaris","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}