Pseudocorynopoma doriae
The Pseudocorynopoma doriae inhabit water bodies of South America (Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil). The fish stay at depths of up to 1 m, at low currents (estuaries, marshes, flooded areas, lagoons, streams, irrigation and drainage canals, and small watercourses). The fish always live close to the shore and vegetation, as they find shelter from many predators there. These fish do not live in the channels of large rivers. Dragonfin tetras are very rare to find in aquarists' collections and the reason for this is their rather mediocre coloration.
Pseudocorynopoma doriae has an elongated, flattened body on the sides. The mouth is large, pointing upwards diagonally, with fine teeth. The eyes are large. The fins, except for the pelvic fins are large. Dorsal and anal fins voile. Both anal and dorsal fins when folded reach the root of the caudal plumage. The caudal fin is bilobate, with equal lobes. The basic coloration is brown with silvery reflections. Along the body runs a horizontal band, which, depending on the origin of the fish may be cream, white or bluish-silver. There is also another black line running from the base of the dorsal fin to the caudal fin. The gills and ventral area are white. The fins are yellow-orange in color, but at the same time almost transparent. Males have large pectoral, dorsal and anal fins, while females fins are of normal size. The maximum size of fish is 8 cm.
Pseudocorynopoma doriae nimble and sociable fish. Keep them in groups of at least 10 individuals, and, the more they are, the more comfortable they will feel. This is a very active fish, which in addition is one of the highest jumpers in the family, capable of jumping out of the water more than 1.5 m in height, which is an amazing achievement, given their small size. It is a fish that always lives near the surface, although in an aquarium it usually also swims in the water column and near the bottom. Pseudocorynopoma doriae like to swim among the roots of floating plants, where they find shelter and look for food.
Fish are timid and very often, during a scare injured by various decorations in the aquarium, so it is recommended not to make sudden movements when approaching the aquarium. Their rapid and constant swimming can also cause stress to the calmer fish.
To contain a group of 15 individuals need an aquarium of 150 liters. The perimeter of the aquarium should be densely planted (bacopa, egeria). On the surface of the water should be placed bushes of floating plants (aquatic cabbage). At the bottom, you can place a snag. Substrate is desirable sand or in the form of fine gravel.
Water parameters: temperature 18-24° C, hardness dH 1-18°, pH 6,0-7,5. Requires filtration, aeration and weekly replacement of ¼ of the aquarium water with fresh. The aquarium must have a cover.
Lighting is bright, lasting about 12 hours a day.
The dragonfin tetra is an omnivorous fish. It feeds mainly on small invertebrates such as, water fleas, ringworms, small shrimps, insect larvae, and flying insects. Zooplankton is also part of their diet. The fish eat algae, soft plant leaves, and the eggs of other fish. In aquariums, fish are fed Artemia nauplii, bloodworms, earthworms.
Reproduction
On the successful breeding of Pseudocorynopoma doriae in aquarium conditions, there is little information. It is known that males secrete pheromones via a gland in the caudal fin during the breeding season. When a pair forms, they move away from the flock and begin to dance, after which the female hatches a roe and the male immediately fertilizes it. Fry usually hatch after a couple of days at a temperature of 23° C to 25° C.
