• Scientific name: Astyanax mexicanus
• Synonyms: Anoptichthys jordani, A. hubbsi, A. antrobius
• Common name: Blind cavefish, Mexican tetra
• Group: Characins
• Habitat: Central America; Texas, Mexico and Central America to Panama
• Size: 6-8 cm
• Biotope: Cave form in underground waters of Mexico; surface form widespread in from Texas to Panama.
• Social behavior: Peaceful, schooling species recommended for all community tanks.
• Diet: Omnivorous, Will accept most foods including pellets and flake as well as live/frozen foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp.
• Breeding: Relatively easy
• Tank: Minimum 80 litres
• Population: 4-5 fishes for 80 litres
• Decoration: An undemanding fish, the Blind cavefish can be readily kept in most tanks. Does not require special light levels and will not touch plants.
• Temperature: 20-24 °C
• pH: 6-8
• Hardness: 8-12 NK°
• Lifespan: 5-6 years

Description: The shape of the vlind cavefish is small, elongated, fairly flatsided, with a profile curved equally above and below. Adipose fin present. The color of the surface form is silvery to light brassy sheen on sides, with ovlive back. The tail and lower fins of some individuals may be tinted yellow or red. The cave form: monotone pink tint with a silver sheen. The eyes are completely burried beneath the skin. Both forms of the Mexican tetra have a forked tail, a small dorsal fin, and an anal fin that, on breeding males, possesses tiny hooks. The blind cavefish catch food by scent. It needs to be kept in a good shoal to avoid it nipping at other tank mates. Keep at least five and preferably more. They are fast swimmers and good-nature fish, which get on well with other fish species and leave smaller fish alone. Males are thinner than females.

Relatively easy to breed at 18-20°C. They are egg scatters: remove the parents from the aquarium and not the eggs since the eggs are very sensitive. Fry hatch quickly, within two or three days and swim freely from the sixth. Feed on live food: Artemia and very fine flakes.