Triportheus rotundatus
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Triportheus rotundatus

Common Names: Catalina Tetra
Synonyms: Chalceus rotundatus
Family: Characidae
Category: Characins
Distribution: America - South; Relatively widely distributed in the Amazon Basin.
Main Ecosystem: River; Slowly-flowing rivers.
Temperament: Peaceful; The Catalina Tetra is a peaceful, yet very active, species. It will shoal near the surface of the water and generally ignore any tankmates below. Due to its relatively large size and activity level, it should not be kept in small tanks.
Diet: Not Specified; Insectivorous in the wild, this tetra will learn to accept most foods in captivity. It readily eats flakes, but greatly prefers small live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, mosquito larvae, and brine shrimp.
Care: Provide a large tank with large, open swimming areas near the top that are free of floating plants or other obstacles. Hiding places below, made from driftwood, rocks, or plants, are recommended. Substrate is not important. This species seems to be sensitive to sudden changes in water parameters, so careful acclimation is recommended when moving it to a new tank.
6 - 7.5
24°C - 28°C
75°F - 82°F
2 dH - 20 dH
Potential Size: Male: 15cm (5.9")
Female: 15cm (5.9")
Water Region: Surface; The Catalina Tetra will spend most of its time near the surface of the water.
Activity: Diurnal; Like most tetras, this species is active during the day and will retreat closer towards the substrate during the night.
Gender: Unknown. Females may be plumper than males when gravid.
Breeding: An egg-layer, but details are unknown. All specimens in stores are wild-caught.
Variants: When young, the Catalina Tetra is boldly marked with large, dark blotches along the body. As the fish grows, this coloration fades until its body is pure silver.
Comments: Despite this fishes' superficial resemblence to the Hatchetfishes (family Gasteropelecidae) and the fact that it is sometimes referred to as a Hatchetfish, the Catalina Tetra is indeed a true tetra.

Its unusual shape allows the fish it raise most of its body above the surface of the water and use its enlarged pectoral fins to push itself along to escape predators.
Main Colours: Silver, Brown, Black
Markings: Not Specified
Mouth: Upturned
Tail: Concave
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Image Credit: Natalie
Submitted By: Natalie
Contributors: Natalie
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