Psellogrammus kennedyi
The Psellogrammus kennedyi is found in the Rio San Francisco and Paraguay river basins, which run through Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. The fish can be found in slow currents, amongst thick aquatic plants, swimming in small flocks.
Psellogrammus kennedyi has a flattened oval-shaped body. The body colour is unassuming, grey with a silvery sheen. The fins are colorless. At the root of the tail plumage is a black spot with a white border. Males are slimmer and slightly smaller than females. In nature, the maximum size of fish reaches 5.9 cm, while in aquariums they do not exceed 5 cm.
The Psellogrammus kennedyi is a micropredator in nature, preying on small fish. Keep these fish in a group of at least 6 individuals. Male bully and territorial, the good thing is that they occupy a relatively small area. Fish swim slightly inclined head down. The aquarium should be spacious, with a volume of 120 liters. Most of the time the fish swim in the middle and upper layers of water. May be kept in a common aquarium with other peace-loving, larger fish.
The substrate can be any. Arrange snags and large rocks in the aquarium. Along the back and side walls to plant a variety of plants.
Water parameters: temperature 24-28° C, hardness dH 2-12°, pH 6,0-7,5. It is desirable to add to the water bedding of pre-dried oak or beech leaves, which must be changed at intervals of 1 every 3-4 weeks. Necessary filtration, aeration and a weekly change of 1/3 of the aquarium water with fresh.
Low light is preferable. This should be considered when planting and select species that are less demanding towards light intensities.
In nature, Psellogrammus kennedyi feed on small aquatic invertebrates, terrestrial insects falling on the water surface and filamentous algae. In aquariums, the fish are fed Artemia nauplii, daphnia moth, as well as a variety of dry and granular food containing spirulina. The food is given twice a day.
Reproduction
Psellogrammus kennedyi reach sexual maturity at the age of 10-12 months.
During the spawning period, the front part of the abdomen of fish turns orange. Spawning is group. Spawning is stimulated by raising the water temperature by 1-2° C, with respect to the one in which the fish are constantly contained in the aquarium and the daily substitution of 1/5 of the aquarium water with fresh. Preferably on spawning fish planted in the spawning tank.
The females spawn among the leaves of the plants. Depending on the physiological state, one female may lay sometimes several hundred eggs. Immediately after spawning, the spawners should be removed, as they tend to eat their eggs. The spawning tank with the eggs should be shaded. The eggs are incubated for 4-5 days. The hatched larvae feed on the substances contained in their yolk sacs for the first 2-3 days of their lives. After this time, the fry begin to be fed with infusoria and, later, with artemia nauplii.
Life expectancy for the tetra kennedy under aquarium conditions is about 4-5 years.
