Are blind cave tetras really blind?

What kind of fish is a Mexican tetra?

The Mexican tetra ( Astyanax mexicanus ), also known as the blind cave fish, blind cave characin, and blind cave tetra, is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae of the order Characiformes.

Do blind cave tetras have eyes?

While the eyes of newly hatched blind cave tetras are fully developed, they degenerate and are reabsorbed within a few weeks of life. When a fish is in “full” cave form, they are blind and also completely lack pigmentation. Some researchers have proposed that the blind variant be recognized as a separate species.

What do you need for a blind cave tetra?

Aquarium Size : Minimum of 20 gallon for just a school of 5. Blind Cave Tetra Tank Mates : Virtually anything that won’t eat them or has relatively the same water parameter requirements. Fish Disease : Freshwater Fish Disease. Diet / Fish Food : Omnivore, will accept flakes, granules, pellets, frozen foods and live foods.

What is a blind tetra called?

A. mexicanus is famous for its blind cave form, which is known by such names as blind cave tetra, blind tetra (leading to easy confusion with the Brazilian Stygichthys typhlops ), blind cave characin and blind cavefish. Depending on the exact population, cave forms can have degenerated sight or have total loss of sight and even their eyes.

What is the scientific name of the Mexican tetra?

The Mexican tetra, or Mexican cave fish, scientific name Astyanax mexicanus, is a fish having many names. The Mexican cave fish is also referred to as the blind cave fish, blind cave characin, and blind cave tetra is a freshwater fish.

What does a Mexican tetra eat?

The Mexican tetra’s diet varies from location to location in the wild. In some places, it is primarily a carnivore, with their food of choice being smaller fish. In others, it is more of an omnivore, incorporating plants, algae, and insects into its diet.

What is a Mexican cave fish called?

The Mexican cave fish is also referred to as the blind cave fish, blind cave characin, and blind cave tetra is a freshwater fish. The species belongs to the family Characidae of the order Characiformes.

Do cave tetras have eyes?

There is a form that has eyes, although you do not generally see this version on the market. These cave tetras are also completely devoid of pigmentation. They are pink, but will get an iridescent sheen to them as they get older.

What is a Mexican tetra fish?

For sure, the most popular Mexican tetra fish type amongst aquarists is the blind cave form. While the eyes of newly hatched blind cave tetras are fully developed, they degenerate and are reabsorbed within a few weeks of life. When a fish is in “full” cave form, they are blind and also completely lack pigmentation.

How many blind cave tetras should you keep together?

Now obviously, the Blind Cave Tetra has its own specific tank requirements. Therefore, it is only compatible with fish that are not off the charts when it comes to water conditions and such. Look for fish that have similar needs as them. The reason why we said that you should keep 5-6 Blind Cave Tetras together is because they are schooling fish.

How do tetras adapt to the cave?

There is no need for eye sight in the pitch black caves, so they have evolved to adapt to these conditions. A larger tetra, Blind Cave Tetras need a minimum of 20 gallons for a school of 5. They can reach up to 4 inches. They prefer subdued lighting, as it is closer to their natural habitat.

What fish can live with blind cave tetras?

Corydoras catfish, for example, are a bottom-dwelling species that would do well with the blind cave tetra. Other tetras, barbs, and gouramis also make good tank mates as long as their tank requirements align.

What is a blind cave tetra called?

The blind cave tetra is known by the scientific name Astyanax mexicanus and there are two subspecies. One form of the species is widely distributed throughout the southern United States, Mexico and into Guatemala while the other is found only in Mexico. The main difference between the two subspecies is that one is blind and the other is not.

How is the blind tetra different from the surface-dwelling form?

The blind form of the Mexican tetra is different from the surface-dwelling form in a number of ways, including having unpigmented skin, having a better olfactory sense by having taste buds all over its head, and by being able to store four times more energy as fat, allowing it to deal with irregular food supplies more effectively.

What kind of tetras are blind in Mexico?

Blind Cave Mexican Tetra (Astyanax Mexicanus) The Blind Cave Mexican Tetra is quite unique, and it comes in two forms. One variety is eyed, while another has no eyes. This variation is attributed to the environment they inhabit. The eyed community lives in brightly-lit waters while their eyeless cousins reside in dark caves.

Can I Feed my tetras frozen food?

Get frozen foods at either your grocery store or a pet shop depending on what you want to feed your tetras. Keep in mind that in the wild, tetras mostly need insects (and their larvae) and tiny crustaceans. You should not feed fish frozen food directly; you can keep a small amount thawed in the refrigerator.

What is the difference between Mexican cave fish and floor fish?

Relying on the precise inhabitants, cave varieties can have degenerated sight or have a whole lack of sight and even their eyes. The fish within the Pachón caves have misplaced their eyes utterly while the fish from the Micos cave solely have restricted sight. Mexican cave fish and floor fish are in a position to produce fertile offspring.

Are Mexican cavefish and tetras the same thing?

Although their appearance varies wildly, the freshwater Mexican cavefish ( Astyanax mexicanus) is the same species as the surface-dwelling Mexican tetra. So-called “Blind” Mexican cavefish are an example of convergent evolution, a new study shows.

What kind of fish is in a Mexican cave?

Each variety of Mexican cave fish is omnivores and roughly the identical dimension, round three inches lengthy (7.5 centimeters). However, not like the floor fish, the cavefish are blind, albino, insomniacs, and have style buds on the skin of the decrease jaw. freshwater species of the week

What kind of fish is a blind cave fish?

“Blind cave fish” redirects here. For cavefish in general, see cavefish. The Mexican tetra ( Astyanax mexicanus ), also known as the blind cave fish, blind cave characin, and blind cave tetra, is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae of the order Characiformes.

What is the difference between a Mexican tetra and a cave tetra?

The most notable physical difference between the two, however, is of course the fact that the cave-dwelling form often has no eyes. Both subspecies of the Mexican tetra grow up to about 4.7 inches (12 cm) in length and they exhibit the traditional characin shape that most tetras have.

Is the Mexican tetra a separate species from other tetras?

The Mexican tetra has been treated as a subspecies of A. fasciatus, but this is not widely accepted. Additionally, the blind cave form is sometimes recognized as a separate species, A. jordani, but this directly contradicts phylogenetic evidence.

What is the difference between a tetra and a cavefish?

Results showed that despite their differing living quarters, the Mexican tetra surface populations were genetically very similar, but the cavefish had even less genetic diversity. This may be attributed to their limited space and food, according to the study. [In Images: The Extraordinary Evolution of ‘Blind’ Cavefish]

What is the difference between a blind tetra and a cave tetra?

While the surface-dwelling form of the species looks like any other tetra with a shiny silver body and red coloring on the fins, the blind form exhibits albino coloration (a lack of pigment) and clear fins. The most notable physical difference between the two, however, is of course the fact that the cave-dwelling form often has no eyes.

How many blind cave tetras in a 30 gallon tank?

Let’s say you want to keep five or six of these Blind Cave Tetras in the same fish tank. Then you need to buy an aquarium of at least 30 gallons of size. The reason why you need such a big tank is because they are one of the largest species in the Tetra family. An adult tetra gets approximately 4 inches long.

What do tetras need to live in an aquarium?

The aquarium should mimic the environment the Tetra lives in out in the wild. You should provide plenty of rocks, driftwood and caves that your fish will use as hiding places. When looking for substrate, make sure to buy some dark gravel.

How do tetras survive in pitch black caves?

There is no need for eye sight in the pitch black caves, so they have evolved to adapt to these conditions. A larger tetra, Blind Cave Tetras need a minimum of 20 gallons for a school of 5.