Emperor tetra EU-NZ - Nematobrycon palmeri

The emperor t etra or emperor tetra (Nematobrycon palmeri) from Colombia in South America is a great eye-catcher with its striking flag-like dorsal fin. This tetra remains relatively small at 4-5 cm. Emperor tetras have a broad black longitudinal stripe along the middle of the body, which in males ends in two flag-like tips on the caudal fin. They are completely absent in the female. Above the stripe, the aquarium fish is bluish-silvery in color. This color fades to a light olive brown on the back. The rest of the body is silvery white. A brilliant yellow coloration is found on the seam of the ventral fin in well colored animals, and the caudal fin is also yellowish. The elongated dorsal fin is adorned with a fine black stripe, as are the upper and lower edges of the caudal fin.

The peaceful Nematobrycon palmeri is a social aquarium fish that requires a group of conspecifics. Swarms are only formed when stressed, and as a rule the fish tend to be in loose formations. We recommend a group size of 10 emperor tetras. The behavior of the emperor tetra is extremely interesting, and it is also well suited for the community aquarium.

For breeding you need a small aquarium in which you let a pair of Nematobrycon palmeri spawn. The adults are caught out after spa wning, because they would eat both spawn and fish larvae. The emperor tetra is a free spawner. It needs soft water with a low pH of about 5.0 to 6.5 and a water temperature of about 25-27 °C for breeding. The breeding aquarium should be darkened somewhat with the help of floating plants. The young emperor tetras are first fed with fine live food like slipper lizards and then with artemia euplii, also cyclops is suitable well. Emperor tetras can be bred very well, the emperor tetras offered as aquarium fish are usually no longer taken from the wild.

Nematobrycon palmeri likes densely planted tanks, which are somewhat darkened. Then the beautiful fish show their best coloration. Too much light stresses the animals, then they become pale. Soft to medium hard water and a temperature of approx. 23-27 °C are necessary for the successful keeping of the emperor tetra.

As a salmer-typical omnivore, the emperor tetra is satisfied with live food as well as frozen food and the typical, common flake food or granulated food for omnivorous aquarium fish.

Emperor tetras may eat a baby shrimp or two, but they generally will not go for larger dwarf shrimp. Socialization is possible with a shrimp species that reproduces well, such as a Neocaridina or Sulawesi Inland Shrimp, but also with larger shrimp such as Amano Shrimp or Fan Shrimp . Nematobrycon palmeri can also be kept well with peaceful minded dwarf shrimps in the aquarium.

Our food recommendation: This NatureHolic main feed is a professional staple feed for all aquarium fish. Main feed we supply in the form of soft granules, which thanks to its grain size of half a millimeter can be easily absorbed by small to medium-sized fish. The soft consistency resembles the texture of insect larvae in nature and protects the fish mouth from micro-injuries.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free from algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.