Page 100 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

98 FRESHWATER FISH DIRECTORY

Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma Hemigrammus ulreyi
Bleeding Heart Tetra kept in groups in a community aquarium, along Ulreyi Tetra
with other placid species. Bleeding Hearts can
ORIGINS Northern parts of South America, especially in be susceptible to fungus when introduced to the ORIGINS South America, occurring in the Paraguay River
the upper Amazon region. tank. To combat this, keep them at the upper end basin, south of the Amazon.
SIZE 4 in (10 cm). of the temperature range at first and offer food SIZE 2 in (5 cm).
DIET Prepared foods and small live foods. enriched with vitamin C. Over the longer term, DIET Eats both prepared foods and live foods.
WATER Temperature 75–82°F (23–28°C); soft the addition of peat to the filter will help to WATER Temperature 75–82°F (24–28°C); soft
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 5.6–6.9). maintain suitable water conditions for these (50–100 mg/l) and acidic to neutral (pH 6.5–7.0).
TEMPERAMENT Placid, but does not breed readily. attractive tetras. Once established, they may live TEMPERAMENT Nonaggressive, shoaling fish.
for as long as four years. Unfortunately, females
The Bleeding Heart, so called because of the red are frequently reluctant to respond to the
patch on the side of its body, is one of the larger courtship of males, which are recognizable by their
tetras. This species is not aggressive and can be prominent black dorsal fin and longer anal fin.

This tetra is often confused with the Flag Tetra
(H. heterorhabdus), from the lower Amazon basin
in Brazil. The key difference is the narrow line of
color above the black stripe along the body. This is
orange in the Ulreyi Tetra but red in the Flag Tetra.
The scales on the caudal fin are a less obvious
distinguishing feature; these are missing in the Flag
Tetra. This fish is named after Albert B. Ulrey, the
biologist who first described it in 1895. Ulrey also
discovered the X-Ray Tetra (see p.101).

Hyphessobrycon bentosi Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Rosy Tetra Lemon Tetra Black Neon Tetra

ORIGINS South America, occurring in Guyana and ORIGINS The Amazon basin in central Brazil, South ORIGINS Distribution restricted to the Taquari River in
throughout the lower Amazon basin. America, occurring in slow-flowing, narrow streams. the Mato Grosso region of Brazil.
SIZE 1 ⁄4 in (4.5 cm). SIZE 2 in (5 cm). SIZE 2 in (5 cm).
3
DIET Both prepared foods and small live foods. DIET Prepared diets and live foods. DIET Eats both prepared foods and small live foods.
WATER Temperature 75–82°F (24–28°C); soft WATER Temperature 73–82°F (23–28°C); soft WATER Temperature 73–81°F (23–27°C); soft
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic to neutral (pH 6.5–7.0). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.5).
TEMPERAMENT Social and nonaggressive. TEMPERAMENT Placid and social. TEMPERAMENT Thrives in a shoal.
Rosy Tetras can be sexed without difficulty, since In spite of its name, this species is not related to
males have a longer dorsal fin that curls over at the Neon Tetra (see opposite). Females tend to be
the tip, while females have a red tip on this fin. slightly larger than males, with a more rounded
The anal fin is also longer and more concave in body shape. Breeding will be most likely if you
the male. Raising the water temperature, typically transfer a number of these tetras as a shoal to a
to 80°F (27°C), preceded by an increase in the spawning tank, but make sure the water is softer
live foods offered, usually stimulates spawning than in the main aquarium. Live foods will help to
behavior. The fry hatch after about three days. bring the fish into breeding condition. After the
eggs have been scattered among fine-leaved plants,
Curling dorsal fin the adult fish will need
indicates a male
to be removed from Raised dorsal fin
the spawning tank.
The beautiful lemon coloration of these tetras
shines through only once they are well established
and the water conditions become ideal. Until then,
they may look rather drab. Subdued lighting, a
Concave
anal fin dark substrate, and the occasional use of a color
food may help to improve their appearance.

US_098-099_Tetras_2.indd 98 29/08/18 4:09 PM