Blind Cave Fish

Astyanax fasciatus mexicanus

The blind cave fish is an unusual aquarium species. It has undergone physical adaptations making it an ideal organism to live in the subterranean caves which it inhabits.

Description

Blind cave fish are coloured cream and pink. There is also some darker pigment showing through the skin where the eye sockets are. An absence of eyes is the most striking feature of the blind cave fish.  Living in a dark environment it has had no need for sight. The eye sockets have become covered over in scales.

To allow navigation in it's environment the blind cave fish has developed a radar system of sorts. It uses this unusual ability to avoid bumping into it's environment.

Feeding

This fish's lack of vision has heightened it's sense of smell. They are often the first aquarium member to locate food introduced to the tank. Blind cave fish are avid feeders finding almost any fish food offered palatable.

Breeding

Not a particularly difficult fish to breed. Condition a group of cave fish using live and frozen food fed over a fortnight or longer. Choose a pair by selecting a plumper female and more slender male. Turn down the temperature on your heater by two degrees and the pair should release a hundred eggs or more onto the aquarium substrate.

If left undisturbed the fry should hatch in a few days. Initially they will feed from their yolk sac. Once free swimming the young fish should be offered baby brine shrimp and other small foods.

Do not be surprised that the blind cave fish fry have eyes. These will disappear as the fish reach maturity.

Blind Cave Fish Profile

Family - Characidae

Size - 10 cm

Fish Origin - Central America

Water - Suits medium hard to hard water & PH 6.5-7.5

Temperature - 20-26°C

Feeding - Not a picky eater, it will accept a wide variety of foods

Sexing - Females plumper

Breeding - Breeds readily

Aquarium - Excellent community fish

Blind Cave Fish   Piranha   Aquarium Fish