Blind Cave Tetra 3cm

Blind Cave Tetra 

The blind cave tetra is easily the quirkiest fish available in the aquarium hobby. The reason it so easily wins this is because of the fact that it naturally has no eyes due to hundreds of years of evolution and life in dark caves. Living in complete darkness meant that this fish had no biological benefit for keeping its vision but in turn, the blind cave tetras have far more heightened senses. Also because of their life in caves they have a very ghostly pigment which is similar to what is seen in albino fish. They can generally have an off-white, cream, or even pink color to them and this just adds to their spooky look! Blind cave tetras however do make for a great aquarium fish and just like other tetra species they are very easy to care for, the great thing about them is that they get a tad larger than common tetra species like the neon or rummy nose tetra and can usually be kept in a community environment to an extent.  Trying to find the males and females is very difficult with this species as there are no immediate distinguishing factors and breeding hasn’t commonly been recorded in an aquarium environment. In their wild habitat, blind cave tetras can be found in the cave waterways of Mexico.

Tank Recommendations for your Blind Cave Tetra 

The blind cave tetra can be kept only need a tank of around 20 gallons (75 liters) as they are a relatively small growing fish being tetra This makes them great for people who are looking to keep smaller aquariums or with limited space. A sand substrate is always advisable however they can be kept with gravel and a wide range of decor can be used. As they are naturally from caves it is good to have a lot of rock work in the aquarium however wood and plants can also be utilized. They also do not need to be kept in full darkness meaning you can have aquarium lights. Though they are blind they can find their way around items in the tank with their other senses and primarily rely on electrical receptors along their body.  

Suitable Tank Buddies

The blind cave tetra is a fairly peaceful species; however, they are opportunistic feeders as they have a lack sight. As they age, they have been regarded as fin nippers but this is only an issue when they are kept with slow-moving species or fish that have long flowing fins. They may also eat small fry and shrimp. With adequate space, these fish will get along with a wide range of fast-moving community fish.

Usually Compatible

Tetras, corydoras, barbs, dwarf cichlids such as rams.  

Sometime Compatible

Slow-moving fish like neon tetras, discus, angelfish, and fish with long fins such as bettas and gourami. 

Rarely Compatible 

large aggressive species such as African cichlids, Oscars, and Jaguar cichlids.

Feeding your blind cave tetras
blind cave Teras in general is a very easy species to feed that will take to a wide range of aquarium foods like pellets or flakes because of their opportunistic behavior. They are naturally omnivore that feeds off plant matter like algae and small insects and crustaceans so a well-balanced aquarium food that has good protein and green content would be best. Feeding should occur once a day.