Aquarium scissortail fish rarely exceed three inches, even though in the wild they’ve been discovered up to 8 inch. They’re peaceful, hardy, and make outstanding community fish. The body is silver-white and somewhat translucent, with a dark line running along the middle of the side, and an additional line from just in front of the anal fin to the base of the lower lobe of the caudal fin. The distinctive tail is forked, frequently orange in colour, and tipped on every lobe with a black and white bar. When the fish is swimming the tail action is scissor-like, hence its well-liked name.
This fish has been bred in captivity and it would seem that a water depth of about 5 inch is perfect, with a pH of 6.6 – 6.8. The temperature should be about 80°F and also the tank should be big and well planted.
A number of males should be utilized to a single female. Eggs will hatch in five to six days and also the fry will grow rapidly on infusoria. When two weeks old, the fry could be given screened daphnia.