Aquarium Care Guide

• Tank Size: A minimum of 20–29 gallons long, though a 40-gallon long tank is preferred to provide ample open swimming room for their energetic behavior.
• Schooling Numbers: They are obligate shoaling fish. Keep them in a group of at least 6 to 10. Smaller numbers cause severe stress and prevent them from showing their brilliant coloration. 
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 10–22°C (50–72°F). They are temperate, coolwater fish and do not require a heater at standard room temperatures. Exceeding 75–78°F chronically stresses the species and degrades their health.
  • pH: 6.5 – 7.8.
  • Hardness: Adaptable up to 25 dGH, ideally between 5–20 dGH.
  • Flow & Oxygen: High oxygenation is mandatory. Use powerheads, strong filtration, or airstones to create moderate-to-strong surface agitation and flow. 

• Diet: Opportunistic omnivores. They readily consume high-quality flakes and micro granules supplemented with small frozen or live foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, and mosquito larvae.