Many aquarium enthusiasts have fallen in love with the small but striking Copper Tetra, scientifically known as *Hasemania nana*. This species brightens up any freshwater tank with its flashy copper-colored body and gregarious demeanor.
Originating in Brazil’s streams and rivers, the Copper Tetra is renowned for its adaptability and tranquil disposition. It gets along well with other small, peaceful fish in community tanks, making it a great option.
This fish is a favorite choice for novice and expert aquarists alike because it is not only gorgeous but also reasonably simple to maintain. As long as the tank is kept clean and well-maintained, its hardy nature enables it to flourish in a range of water conditions.
| Common Name | Copper Tetra |
| Scientific Name | Hasemania Nana |
| Origin | South America |
| Size | Up to 2 inches (5 cm) |
| Water Conditions | Soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic to neutral |
| Temperature | 75-82°F (24-28°C) |
| Diet | Omnivorous, accepts flake foods, live or frozen foods |
| Behavior | Peaceful, schooling fish |
| Tank Mates | Other small, peaceful fish |
| Special Notes | Known for its bright copper-colored body and lively nature |
A vibrant and active freshwater fish that adds a splash of shimmering copper color to any aquarium is the Hasemania Nana, also called the Copper Tetra. This little fish is a great option for both novice and seasoned aquarists because it is simple to maintain and gets along with a wide range of tank companions. It is a well-liked addition to community tanks due to its vibrant nature and eye-catching appearance. There, it grows well in groups and gives the underwater environment dynamic movement.
Habitat and habitat
South America: Brazil’s Minas Gerais, specifically the Sao Francisco River basin.
Usually inhabits areas away from the main river channel, such as streams and tributaries. It appears that they can be found in environments with both white and black water.
Description
The body is flattened from the sides and extended.
The males are copper in color with hints of yellow and green. Females are olive-yellow in color. A dark blue stripe with varying saturation runs from the pectoral fin to the tail. A second stripe, which is yellow in females and golden in males, appears above this one.
There are yellow spots on the caudal fin’s top and bottom. The tips of the unpaired fins are white. Male fin colors are reddish-brown, while female fin colors are yellowish.
Size:
Females measure roughly 5 cm in length, while males are somewhat shorter.
Behavior and compatibility
Flocked, held in clusters of five or more. It is best to display behavioral traits in groups of twenty to thirty people.
Among the greatest tetras for fostering a sense of community within an aquarium. It’s a fairly colorful, peaceful, and active species. Most other inhabitants, including danios, rasboras, other tetras, and calm bottom dwellers like corydoras or small loricariids, get along great with them in the tank. Can also be kept with dwarf cichlids and most commonly available gouramis. They are obviously incompatible with larger species that might eat them.
This is a schooling species, so try to catch as many as you can from groups of ten or more. In these groups, the fish are less shy and more active, more visible, have better coloring, and behave more naturally.
Aquarium
An aquarium with a capacity of 70 liters can easily fit a small gathering; minimum size is 60 cm.
Adapts easily and feels good in most kinds of aquariums, but densely planted aquariums are where it excels.
Any species of plant can be used, and they are planted densely. Swimming should be permitted in open spaces. In order to create areas of shade, floating plants are permitted on the surface. Any type of soil will do, but a dark one will look more striking.
Strangely enough, the natural habitat does not include aquatic plants. An aquarium with a much simpler biotope would have sandy soil, a few dry oak or beech leaves, and a few branches and driftwood.
Water parameters:
In the range of 22 to 28 °C pH range: 6.0 to 8.0 Intensity: 5–19 °DGH
A weekly third of the water should be changed via active filtration and aeration.
Nutrition
In the wild, they eat invertebrates, phyto- and zooplankton, and insect larvae that sink or float in water.
Omnivorous fish can thrive in aquariums on a diet of dry food, but like most fish, they prefer a varied diet, which in this case includes frozen and live food.
Although they can move quickly and sharply to seize food that is floating on the surface, they feed in the middle layer of the water. Extremely active when they’re hungry, but as soon as the feeder is full, they stop being interested in it.
Sexual Dimorphism
Silvery-gray in color, females are larger and fuller than males. Males have brighter colors, more grace, and a coppery complexion.
Reaches sexual maturity at roughly six months of age.
Breeding
They can reproduce easily, giving birth to both pairs and groups. About 40 liters is the aquarium’s volume in the first scenario; in the second, 10 to 15 liters will do. There is up to 25 centimeters of water, and it should be softly lit. Many bushes of feather leaf or Java moss are required for the plants; artificial fibers can be used as a substrate for spawning. Another option is to use mesh to cover the spawning tank’s base.
The spawning aquarium’s water parameters are 25–27 °C, pH 6.0–6.5, and dH up to 8.
The breeders are housed apart for two weeks in order to induce spawning. During this time, they are fed a lot of live and frozen food—preferably daphnia—and 60% of the water is changed while the temperature is raised.
After being let out into the aquarium in the evening, they start spawning the next morning. Entire 300 dark brown eggs are laid by the female. Fish that are adults are removed right away after spawning because they consume the eggs.
For hygienic reasons, whitened eggs need to be taken out of the spawning tank right away.
The young rotifers, nematodes, and ciliates can swim and eat after 3–4 days of incubation, which lasts for 24–36 hours. Nauplius of Artemia and cyclops are introduced to the diet at two weeks of age.
When growing fries, the water level is approximately 12 cm. Tenths of the water must be changed every day, and filtration and aeration are necessary.
The spawning aquarium should be kept as dark as possible because the eggs and fry are photosensitive in their early stages of life.
An aquarium’s lifespan is roughly five years.
Hasemania Nana, also known as the Copper Tetra, is a stunning and vibrant addition to any freshwater aquarium. Artists often choose it for its serene quality and shimmering copper color.
Because Copper Tetras can tolerate a wide range of water conditions, maintaining them is not too difficult. It is best to keep them in schools of at least six to highlight their natural behavior and brilliant colors because they thrive in groups.
These tetras can live for several years with the right care, giving their owners endless pleasure as they dart around the tank. Their ability to get along with other calm fish makes them the perfect addition to community aquariums.
