TankMatesTankMates
  • Explore
  • Encyclopedia
  • Identifier
  • Tank Planner
  • Tank Mates
  • Games
  • World Map
Sign in
ExploreSpeciesIdentifierPlanner
TankMatesTankMatesFind fish that get along. Plan your tank. See real local prices.© 2026 TankMates · hello@tankmates.io
EncyclopediaFish identifierTank MatesCompareAsk FinnTank PlannerTank templatesPlantsCare libraryBreedingPond FishGamesWorld MapDesign StudioCommunityShops & servicesMy profileNotificationsPremiumPrivacyTermsPicture credits
Breeding / Egg scatterers
Egg scatterers · Very easy

Breeding the yellow tetra

Egg scatterer with no parental care.

Full species page

Step by step

Pairing

Keep a group of 8-10 and move a well-conditioned trio or group to a spawning tank.

Breeding tank

30-40 L tank with a spawning grid or dense java moss, soft to medium water (pH 6-7.5), a sponge filter and subdued light.

What starts it

Heavy live-food conditioning, then a water change with slightly cooler water in the morning.

Eggs and young

100-300 eggs

Raising the fry

Start with infusoria or powdered fry food, then newly hatched brine shrimp; sort by size as they grow.

Common mistakes
  • Leaving adults with the eggs
  • Poor conditioning of the parents
  • Overfeeding the fry tank

Male or female

Adult males are slightly more intensely coloured; females grow a little larger and rounder, especially when carrying eggs.

Can I breed it in my tank?

  • Use a separate small tank with a sponge filter and spawning mops, so the eggs aren't eaten.
  • Good for a first breeding project.

Day-by-day plan

Typical for egg scatterers

  1. 14 days beforeCondition the parents

    Feed live or frozen food twice a day. Keep males and females apart if you can.

  2. Day 0Spawning

    Eggs are scattered over mops or fine plants, often at first light. Remove the parents straight after.

  3. Day 1Eggs hatch

    Most eggs hatch in 1–2 days. Keep the tank dim and remove white (fungused) eggs.

  4. Day 4Free swimming, first food

    Fry use up the yolk and start swimming. Feed infusoria or liquid fry food several times a day.

  5. Day 8Baby brine shrimp

    Switch to newly hatched brine shrimp or microworms. Start small, daily water changes.

  6. Day 21Crushed flake

    Add finely crushed flake. Sort fry by size so the big ones don't eat the small ones.

  7. Day 60Ready to move

    Most small fish reach about 2 cm in 2–3 months and can join the main tank.

A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.

Simulator: guided

Stage 1 of 7Condition the parents

Feed live or frozen food twice a day. Keep males and females apart if you can.

Simulator: try it yourself

Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.

No spawning
  • Without live or frozen food the parents aren't in breeding condition.

An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.