We were able to import one of the most unusual tetras again: Markiana nigripinnis. Our specimens originate from Argentina. The species inhabits the river basins of the Paraná, Paraguay and the Marmoré (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay). Due to the southern subtropical region where the fish occurs it is not necessary to install a heater in the tank. During summertime the fish can be kept even in garden ponds. Specimens brought in in autumn again show extraordinary brillant colours.
The body colour is blue-green-metalic-silvery, on the base of the caudal fin is a black spot, a humeral spot is present, but not always visible. Along the horizontal scale rows are black zickzack lines. The most obvious feature is the very long anal fin which has a brillant orange colour. This colour can be hardly found in other species of ornamental fish. There are specimens with deep orange, black bordered anal fins (males?) and specimens with light orange analfins without a black border (females?).
M. nigripinnis is easy to keep. Water conditions are of no great importance. It is an omnivorous species that needs to be fed with plant material, too. It grows to a common size of 12 cm, rarely 15 cm total length. As it is a relatively large and lively fish that must be kept in schools, one should have a large tank to keep them. Given the fact that M. nigripinnis is a hardy and not shy species it is an ideal companion for large cichlids like Geophagus brasiliensis for example.
Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer
