FishLvr.com

By Gary Bolton

Family: Characidae

Species: Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus

Size: 5cm (2 inch)

Diet: Omnivorous

Tank levels: All

Habitat: Streams around and including the Tocantins River, lower Amazon

Remarks: It resembles Hemigrammus ulreyi, a less commonly available species.

Comments: The colour of this tetra is pale greyish brown on the dorsal surface, and silver on the flanks and ventral surface. There are three lines along the body; the uppermost is red, the middle faintly gold on this specimen, and the broader bottom line is black. The gill-covers are silver. Females are much deeper in body shape. Overal, this is a pretty plain looking fish really. But mixed with the right tank-mates. Can be made to look quite stunning in low lighting conditions.

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By Gary Bolton

Family: Characidae

Species: Hyphessobrycon rosaceus

Size: 5cm (2 inch)

Diet: Omnivorous

Tank levels: Middle

Habitat: Guyana and lower Amazon River

Remarks: Similarly coloured fishes are Hyphessobrycon bentosi, H. erythrostigma, and H. ornatus.

Comments: The colouring of this species is quite similar to the Bleeding Heart Tetra. The body of the Rosy Tetra, however, is less deep and the spot on the flank is missing. The dorsal fin is marked with red and streaked with black; that of the male is sickle shaped, well produced, and reaches back over the adipose fin in mature specimens. The pelvic and anal fins are tinged with red and tipped with white. The caudal fin has red in each lobe and grey margin.

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By Gary Bolton

Family: Characidae

Species: Hyphessobrycon serpae

Size: 5cm (2 inch)

Diet: Omnivorous

Tank levels: Middle

Habitat: Guyana and the Amazon basin

Remarks: This species is part of a group of similarly coloured fishes (Hyphessobrycon callistus, H. monor, H. haraldschultzei, and H. hasemani). Confusion surrounds the existence, shape, and colour of individual shoulder spots.

Comments: The overall colour is blood-red, fading to a paler shade below. A dark, comma-shaped spot, just visible on this female, adorns the shoulder. Females are generally paler and plumper than males. Caudal, pelvic, adipose, and anal fins are red, the last having a black edge. A good proportion of the dorsal fin is black. This is a good choice of fish as a middle swimmer.

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By Gary Bolton

Family: Characidae

Species: Megalamphodus megalopterus

Size: 5cm (2 inch)

Diet: Omnivorous

Tank levels: Middle

Habitat: Streams in Bolivia and Brazil

Remarks: This species needs soft, acidic water for general well-being and breeding. Captive breeding can be problematic as the parents tend to eat the eggs, which are light-sensitive and prone to distintegration. A separate species tank for these tetras is advisable, although they will co-habit with smaller fishes.

Comments: The Black Phantom Tetra is a transparent grey-silver colour, with a dark distinguishing mark on the shoulder. Its eye has a gold rim around the iris. Unusually, the female of this species has a more colourful red adipose fin.

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