Question About The Blind Cave Tetra

[Eines]

How big of a group do they need to be kept in? Since they're tetras, I'm assuming at least six, but I haven't been able to find any information on whether or not they live in schools...

 

[Lateral Line]

Yes, they are a naturally schooling/shoaling fish and best kept in groups. They are, however, quite big fish, and tend to get increasingly bad tempered with size and should be best classified as at least semi-aggressive. So a group of 100mm+ fast, active, semi-aggressive fish - their tank should reflect that.

I have read several times that the group size is not that important with this species, I suspect, however, that this is fiction created, and then perpetuated by people looking for an excuse to keep them in small groups or singly as an "oddity". Their lack of sight does not interfere with any of their other activities, why, then, their sociality? In all respects, they behave otherwise as their sighted progenitor species Astyanax fasciatus.

 

[Eines]

thanks for the reply. do you think they would be considered as aggressive as tiger barbs? would keeping them with peaceful fish be risky? and what about keeping a school of tiger barbs and a school of blind cave tetra in the same tank? Do you think it would work?

 

[Lateral Line]

I would say they are as aggressive as Tiger Barbs, and being front toothed, able to do more damage per bite then a TB. I would not keep them with anything not able to look after itself, TB's would probably be okay.

 

[Eines]

oh yeah, well, I mainly keep swordtails, so they should be okay with blind cave tetras. thanks for the tips!