Freshwater
Tetra
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Elegant Darter Tetra (Ammocryptocharax elegans)
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Pro
Description
A slender, sand-dwelling darter from the Amazon basin, Ammocryptocharax elegans is a rare and cryptic fish best known for its camouflage and bottom-perching behavior. It’s highly specialized and suited for biotope enthusiasts or scientists studying South American stream diversity.
Difficulty Level
Expert Only
Region
Elegant Darter Tetra (Ammocryptocharax elegans)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Requires sand substrate, low flow, live food, and pristine water. Not suitable for community tanks or beginners.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Rare in the trade and often wild-caught. Habitat-specific and sensitive to environmental disruption.
Origin
Native to slow, sandy tributaries of the Amazon River system, especially in Brazil and Peru. Typically found in shallow, clearwater environments with minimal vegetation and soft sand beds.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Its transparent-tan body and elongated profile help it blend seamlessly with sand. Subtle dark blotches provide slight contrast, but most of its appeal lies in watching it lie motionless or make short, darting movements—making it a true master of disguise.
Purpose
Plays a role in bio-authentic scapes for South American riverbeds. Offers natural behaviors such as sand-sifting and lying in ambush, contributing to ecological accuracy and interest in quiet setups.
Importance
Rarely seen in the aquarium trade but appreciated by advanced aquarists for its behavior and ecological niche. Encourages specialized setups that mimic fine sediment environments, which are often underrepresented.
Included Resources
Requires ultra-soft sand substrate (no gravel), gentle flow, excellent filtration, and frequent micro-feeding. A seasoned, cycled tank is essential with heavy leaf litter or subtle structure for shelter.
Best Use Cases
Best kept in Amazonian stream biotopes or academic display tanks focused on behavior. Should be the highlight of the setup due to its secretive nature.
Conservation Context
Often overlooked in the wild but serves as an indicator species for ecosystem health. Its preference for undisturbed sand habitats highlights the need for sediment preservation in Amazonian waterways.
Ideal Tank Mates
• No tank mates preferred
• Optional companions: pygmy corydoras, small pencilfish
• Avoid anything boisterous or food-competitive
Region (A)
• Latitude: -3.1019° S
• Longitude: -60.0250° W
(Near Manaus, Brazil — sandy Amazonian tributaries)
Region (B)
• Latitude: -4.2396° S
• Longitude: -70.9435° W
(Upper Ucayali Basin, Peru — clear, slow-moving zones)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Elegant Darter Tetra (Ammocryptocharax elegans)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Requires sand substrate, low flow, live food, and pristine water. Not suitable for community tanks or beginners.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Rare in the trade and often wild-caught. Habitat-specific and sensitive to environmental disruption.
Origin
Native to slow, sandy tributaries of the Amazon River system, especially in Brazil and Peru. Typically found in shallow, clearwater environments with minimal vegetation and soft sand beds.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Its transparent-tan body and elongated profile help it blend seamlessly with sand. Subtle dark blotches provide slight contrast, but most of its appeal lies in watching it lie motionless or make short, darting movements—making it a true master of disguise.
Purpose
Plays a role in bio-authentic scapes for South American riverbeds. Offers natural behaviors such as sand-sifting and lying in ambush, contributing to ecological accuracy and interest in quiet setups.
Importance
Rarely seen in the aquarium trade but appreciated by advanced aquarists for its behavior and ecological niche. Encourages specialized setups that mimic fine sediment environments, which are often underrepresented.
Included Resources
Requires ultra-soft sand substrate (no gravel), gentle flow, excellent filtration, and frequent micro-feeding. A seasoned, cycled tank is essential with heavy leaf litter or subtle structure for shelter.
Best Use Cases
Best kept in Amazonian stream biotopes or academic display tanks focused on behavior. Should be the highlight of the setup due to its secretive nature.
Conservation Context
Often overlooked in the wild but serves as an indicator species for ecosystem health. Its preference for undisturbed sand habitats highlights the need for sediment preservation in Amazonian waterways.
Ideal Tank Mates
• No tank mates preferred
• Optional companions: pygmy corydoras, small pencilfish
• Avoid anything boisterous or food-competitive
Region (A)
• Latitude: -3.1019° S
• Longitude: -60.0250° W
(Near Manaus, Brazil — sandy Amazonian tributaries)
Region (B)
• Latitude: -4.2396° S
• Longitude: -70.9435° W
(Upper Ucayali Basin, Peru — clear, slow-moving zones)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Elegant Darter Tetra (Ammocryptocharax elegans)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Requires sand substrate, low flow, live food, and pristine water. Not suitable for community tanks or beginners.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Rare in the trade and often wild-caught. Habitat-specific and sensitive to environmental disruption.
Origin
Native to slow, sandy tributaries of the Amazon River system, especially in Brazil and Peru. Typically found in shallow, clearwater environments with minimal vegetation and soft sand beds.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Its transparent-tan body and elongated profile help it blend seamlessly with sand. Subtle dark blotches provide slight contrast, but most of its appeal lies in watching it lie motionless or make short, darting movements—making it a true master of disguise.
Purpose
Plays a role in bio-authentic scapes for South American riverbeds. Offers natural behaviors such as sand-sifting and lying in ambush, contributing to ecological accuracy and interest in quiet setups.
Importance
Rarely seen in the aquarium trade but appreciated by advanced aquarists for its behavior and ecological niche. Encourages specialized setups that mimic fine sediment environments, which are often underrepresented.
Included Resources
Requires ultra-soft sand substrate (no gravel), gentle flow, excellent filtration, and frequent micro-feeding. A seasoned, cycled tank is essential with heavy leaf litter or subtle structure for shelter.
Best Use Cases
Best kept in Amazonian stream biotopes or academic display tanks focused on behavior. Should be the highlight of the setup due to its secretive nature.
Conservation Context
Often overlooked in the wild but serves as an indicator species for ecosystem health. Its preference for undisturbed sand habitats highlights the need for sediment preservation in Amazonian waterways.
Ideal Tank Mates
• No tank mates preferred
• Optional companions: pygmy corydoras, small pencilfish
• Avoid anything boisterous or food-competitive
Region (A)
• Latitude: -3.1019° S
• Longitude: -60.0250° W
(Near Manaus, Brazil — sandy Amazonian tributaries)
Region (B)
• Latitude: -4.2396° S
• Longitude: -70.9435° W
(Upper Ucayali Basin, Peru — clear, slow-moving zones)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Elegant Darter Tetra (Ammocryptocharax elegans)
Region
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