Finally we were able to import once more one of the most charming dwarf tetras at all: Tyttocharax cochui. These very lively and absolutely peaceful blue flashes become only 1.5-2 cm long. The story how T. cochui was discovered is quite interesting.They were imported for the first time in April 1949 to Germany – as feeder fish! The mean importation was of the leaf fish, Monocirrhus polyacanthus. This species is a well known predator. It was not intended to let the leaf fish hunger during the long journey (at that time by ship over the ocean) and so a number of „young fish“ was accompanied in the transport can to feed Monocirrhus.
However, some survived the trip and proofed to be a dwarf species new to science. They were described as „Microbrycon cochui“ scientifically only a short time later. Obviously Monocirrhus polyacanthus became sea-sick. Great luck for the feeder fish!
For our customers: Tyttocharax cochui has code 298952 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
