Blind cave tetra

Care at a glance

The blind cave tetra starts life with functioning eyes, but these are absorbed under the skin as it matures — an adaptation to life in the dark Mexican caves the species comes from. Without sight it navigates effortlessly using its lateral line, which picks up vibration and water movement.

That trait makes it a striking, hardy community fish: it finds food just as easily as a sighted fish and rarely bumps into anything. Keep it in a school, dim lighting isn't a requirement, and pair it with tankmates of similar pace; slower, more delicate fish can get stressed by its busy swimming.

Related species

• Ember tetraHyphessobrycon amandae
• Goldfish (common/comet)Carassius auratus
• Black neon tetraHyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
• Pearl gouramiTrichopodus leerii
• Honey gouramiTrichogaster chuna
• Serpae tetraHyphessobrycon eques