Page 99 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

CHARACOIDS/TETRAS 97

Hyphessobrycon peruvianus Hemigrammus erthyrozonus Hyphessobrycon anisitsi
Peruvian Tetra Glowlight Tetra Buenos Aires Tetra

ORIGINS Northern South America, in the Peruvian part ORIGINS South America, where it occurs in the ORIGINS South America, in the Plate River basin of
of the Amazon river, in the vicinity of Iquitos. Essequibo River basin region in Guyana. Argentina, extending to Brazil and Paraguay.
SIZE 2 in (5 cm). SIZE 1 ⁄2 in (4 cm). SIZE 4 in (10 cm).
1
DIET Prepared foods and small live foods. DIET Prepared foods and small live foods. DIET Prepared foods and small live foods.
WATER Temperature 73–82°F (23–28°C); soft WATER Temperature 73–82°F (23–28°C); soft WATER Temperature 64–82°F (18–28°C); soft
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0).
TEMPERAMENT Peaceful and social. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful and social. TEMPERAMENT Can be aggressive.
The patterning of these tetras is variable; the The Buenos Aires Tetra has a black stripe on its
black stripe that runs along the lower body is Red marking caudal fin that joins a bluish line along the side
more extensive in some individuals than others. on dorsal fin of its body. Males are more brightly colored at
The area adjacent to this stripe is usually pale spawning time, while females often become
blue. Differences in coloration do not help when aggressive toward their intended mates. Because it
sexing these fish, although males tend to be more Reddish- naturally occurs farther south than most tetras, this
slender than females. A typical Amazonian tank gold line species can be kept at a lower water temperature in
is ideal for these tetras; water should be filtered the aquarium. It will eat the leaves of aquatic plants,
through aquarium peat (see p.46). so avoid including delicate varieties in its tank.
The reddish-gold stripe of the Glowlight Tetra runs
the entire length of its body. Males are more
brightly colored than females, with a slimmer
profile. During spawning, the male grips the
female with its fins. If the plants in the spawning
tank are too dense to allow the mating pair to
swim through them with ease, many of the
resulting eggs will be infertile. Up to 200 eggs
are laid in total, often sinking to the substrate.

Hemigrammus rhodostomus
BLACKWATER DWELLERS
Banded Rummy-Nose
Many wild tetras live in water that appears be unlikely. Adding manufactured “blackwater
blackish because it contains chemicals called extract” helps to recreate the conditions under ORIGINS South America, in the lower reaches of the
tannins, which result from the breakdown of which tetras live in the wild. Peat has a similar Brazilian Amazon, near Belem.
leaves and other organic matter. Tannins acidify effect on the water chemistry, as does bogwood SIZE 2 in (5 cm).
the water, and if this water chemistry is not (wood extracted from peaty surroundings). DIET Prepared foods and small live foods.
replicated in the aquarium, the tetras may not However, blackwater conditions reduce light WATER Temperature 73–82°F (23–28°C); soft
show their vibrant coloration, and breeding will penetration and may thus restrict plant growth. (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0).
TEMPERAMENT Peaceful and social.
Slightly angular snout

Dark tail-
stripes

Lemon
coloration
This species can be differentiated from the
Brilliant Rummy-Nose Tetra (H. bleheri) by
the patch of red on its head, which is smaller
than in its close relative and does not extend to
the body. Females tend to be slightly larger and
more rounded than males. Aquarium breeding
is possible. As with other tetras, mosquito larvae
make an excellent conditioning food before the
fish are transferred to the breeding tank.

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