Our Guide To Keeping Tiger Teddy Fish

1. About Fish Species:

   • Scientific name: Neoheterandria elegans
   • Common name: Tiger Teddy
   • Family: Poeciliidae
   • Origin: Truando River system, Colombia, South America
   • Adult length: 2 to 2.5 cm
   • Lifespan: Around 2 to 3 years
   • Diet: Omnivore
   • Care Level: Moderate
   • Temperament: Peaceful but shy

2. Tank Setup:

   • Tiger Teddies are tiny livebearers that do best in a mature, peaceful aquarium with excellent water quality. A minimum tank size of around 25 to 30L can work for a small group, although a larger planted aquarium will provide more stability.
   • Provide dense planting, especially fine-leaved plants such as Java Moss, Guppy Grass, Hornwort, and floating plants. These help the fish feel secure and also give fry places to hide.
   • A species-only nano aquarium is often the best choice, as Tiger Teddies can be nervous around larger or more active fish.

3. Water Parameters:

   • Tiger Teddies prefer clean, stable water with a pH range of around 7.0 to 8.0.
   • Keep the water temperature between 24 to 28°C. Avoid keeping them too cool, as they do not usually do well in lower temperatures.
   • They can adapt to a range of hardness levels, but stable conditions and low nitrate are more important than chasing exact numbers.

4. Filtration and Water Flow:

   • Use gentle filtration, such as a sponge filter or a small internal filter with reduced flow. Strong currents can stress these small fish.
   • Excellent water quality is important. Carry out regular partial water changes and avoid allowing nitrate or organic waste to build up.

5. Diet:

   • Tiger Teddies are omnivores and should be offered very small foods. A high-quality micro pellet, finely crushed flake, or powdered nano fish food can be used as a staple.
   • Supplement their diet with small frozen or live foods such as baby brine shrimp, microworms, daphnia, cyclops, and finely chopped bloodworm.
   • Because of their small mouths, make sure all foods are appropriately sized so they can feed easily.

6. Tank mates:

   • Tiger Teddies are peaceful and are best kept with their own kind or with very small, gentle tank mates. They should be kept in groups, ideally with more females than males.
   • Suitable companions may include peaceful dwarf shrimp, small snails, and carefully selected nano fish, but a species-only setup is often recommended for best results.
   • Avoid larger, boisterous, predatory, or fin-nipping fish, as Tiger Teddies are very small and can easily be outcompeted for food.

7. Behavior and Compatibility:

   • Tiger Teddies are shy but attractive livebearers that become more confident when kept in a well-planted aquarium with plenty of cover.
   • They are livebearing fish, meaning females give birth to free-swimming fry rather than laying eggs.
   • Unlike some common livebearers, they usually produce small numbers of fry over time rather than large broods all at once.
   • They are best suited to aquarists who can provide stable water conditions, gentle filtration, and a quiet aquarium environment.