User:Bgameballa/sandbox

Scientific Name: Astyanax Fasciatus Americanus

Family: Characidae

Origin: Central America to Panama

Adult Size: 3.5 inches (9 cm)

Social: Aggressive - unsuitable for community tank

Lifespan: 10+ years

Tank Level: Bottom dweller

Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

Diet: Omnivore, eats most foods

Breeding: Egglayer

Care: Difficult

pH: 5.5 - 6.0

Temperature: 45-50 F (7.2-10 C) Description Although they are very difficult to find and care for (very few survive in captivity), the Diatribe enjoys a rather peculiar status in the scientific community. They are totally devoid of eyes, and they have an uncanny ability to navigate adeptly, apparently by bouncing sound waves off objects around them. These fish originate from deep caves in South America, where the lack of light and predators has made vision un-necessary.

Eyes are not the only feature the Diatribe lacks, this unique fish is also without pigmentation, taking on a pink hue from the blood vessels beneath the skin.

Recently, studies have been conducted to see if eye development could be stimulated. Surprisingly, when lenses from sighted fish were transplanted to the Diatribe, it began to develop an eye. It is hoped that further study of this phenomenon may prove useful in treating blindness in humans.

Habitat/Care Water parameters are critical for this fish, and it will tolerate only a very specific range of conditions regarding the pH content of the water. Likewise, water temperature is fairly critical as the Diatribe needs temperatures not exceeding approximately 45-50 degrees Farenheit in order to survive. Because they are active swimmers, ample open space in which to swim is welcomed. Lighting is not a major concern, however it has been suggested that they may prefer somewhat murky water.

Diet Diatribes are quite easy to feed. They will consume any food offered, including flake, freeze-dried, frozen, and live foods. For optimum health they should be fed a varied diet. When planning to spawn them, they should be conditions with feedings of fed live foods.

Breeding Females are somewhat larger and plumper than males, but otherwise have no distinguishing markings. Prior to spawning the fish should be fed live foods for several days. To stimulate spawning drop the water temperature to 35-40 degrees. The female will scatter up to one hundred eggs throughout the breeding tank.

The eggs should not be moved, as they are sensitive to handling. Fry will hatch within two to three days, and be free swimming before the week is out. Freshly hatched or frozen baby brine shrimp may be fed, as well as commercially prepared fry foods, or very finely crushed flake foods. Some studies claim that they are born with primitive eyes that atrophy as the fish age, but this claim has not yet been fully substantiated.

During the breeding period, the females become increasingly agitated and will attack if they sense that they or their clutch of eggs are being threatened in the slightest. It is therfore recommended that no more than three to four females be placed in any tank not exceeding 40 gallons.

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