Ecuador tetra
Hyphessobrycon ecuadoriensis
A lively freshwater tetra native to the coastal rivers of Ecuador. Ideal for planted community aquariums due to its robustness and peaceful schooling behavior.
Wassertemperatur
23 - 27 °C
pH-Wert
6 - 7.5
Wassertyp
Süßwasser
Tankfüllstand
Unten und in der Mitte
Erwachsenengröße
4,5 cm
Mindesttankvolumen
>= 80 L
Mindestgruppe
>= 8
GH
2 - 12 dGH
KH
1 - 6 dKH
TDS
40 - 240 ppm
Leitfähigkeit
63 - 375 uS/cm
Artbeschreibung
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to the Pacific slope of South America, specifically coastal rivers of Ecuador (such as the Guayas River basin). Inhabits slow-flowing rivers, canals, and flooded areas with marginal vegetation and sandy substrates rich in detritus.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Belongs to the family Characidae. Displays the classic laterally compressed body shape of tetras, reaching a maximum length of about 4-5 cm. Possesses a well-defined adipose fin and relatively large eyes adapted to spot prey in amber waters.
Social Behavior: Strictly schooling and highly gregarious species. Must be kept in groups of at least 8-10 individuals to exhibit natural behavior and reduce shyness. Swims actively in the middle zone of the water column.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Body is silver-gray with golden or greenish iridescence depending on lighting. Features a distinct dark humeral spot and a well-defined black spot on the caudal peduncle. Adult males are slimmer and have slightly more pointed dorsal and anal fins.
Pflege, Zucht und Mitbewohner
Aquarium Setup: Requires a tank of at least 80 liters (20 gallons) for a group. The aquarium should be set up with a dark sandy substrate, plenty of plants (such as Echinodorus and Vallisneria) along the sides and back, leaving a free central swimming area, and adding bogwood.
Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous and undemanding. Readily accepts high-quality dry flake or micro-pellet foods. It is advisable to vary the diet by regularly offering small frozen or live foods such as bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp.
Water Quality: Tolerant and adaptable species. Recommended parameters: temperature between 22°C and 26°C, neutral to slightly acidic pH (6.0 - 7.2), and soft to medium water hardness (GH 5-12). Standard efficient filtration is required.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Excellent community fish. Can coexist with other small characins, loricariids, peaceful dwarf cichlids (Apistogramma), and bottom dwellers like Corydoras. Avoid large fish species that could easily view it as prey.
Aquarium Breeding: Egg scatterer. Requires a separate spawning tank with very soft and acidic water, dimmed lighting, and a grid at the bottom or moss clumps to protect the eggs from the parents' voracity, who must be removed immediately after spawning.
Risks and Diseases: Generally very robust fish. Can be prone to Ich (white spot disease) if exposed to sudden temperature drops during water changes. Responds well to common treatments such as malachite green.
Geografische Herkunft und Verbreitung
Native to the Pacific slope of South America, specifically coastal rivers of Ecuador (such as the Guayas River basin). Inhabits slow-flowing rivers, canals, and flooded areas with marginal vegetation and sandy substrates rich in detritus.
Ursprung
Tropische Ozeane und RiffeExtra-Amazonas-Südamerika
Fischprofil
- Temperament
- Active
- The temperament of Hyphessobrycon ecuadoriensis is overwhelmingly peaceful, making them an exemplary model of a docile community fish. They are not prone to fin-nipping or aggressive territorial disputes, provided they are kept in appropriately sized schools that allow them to establish a natural hierarchy. While males may occasionally engage in harmless sparring displays to establish dominance or impress females, actual physical damage is exceedingly rare. Their gentle nature ensures they will not harass slower-moving tank mates, fostering a tranquil and harmonious aquatic environment.
- Diät
- Omnivore
- In their natural habitat, Hyphessobrycon ecuadoriensis are micro-predators and foragers that feed on tiny insects, crustaceans, and various zooplankton. Within the aquarium environment, they readily accept high-quality dry foods such as micro pellets and crushed flakes designed for small tropical fish. To ensure their best coloration and overall health, their diet should be regularly supplemented with live or frozen foods like Daphnia, newly hatched brine shrimp, and bloodworms. A varied diet prevents nutritional deficiencies and mimics their diverse natural foraging behavior.
- Lebenserwartung
- 3-5 years
- Erwachsenengröße
- 4.5 cm
- Geschlechterverhältnis
- School
- While Hyphessobrycon ecuadoriensis does not strictly require a specific male-to-female ratio, keeping a mixed group with a slight majority of females is generally recommended. Having more females helps distribute any amorous or territorial chasing behavior from the males, preventing individual females from becoming overly stressed. In larger schools of ten or more, the sex ratio becomes less critical as aggression and attention are widely dispersed throughout the group. Observing a healthy mix of both sexes also allows aquarists to enjoy the more intense, vibrant coloration that males display when showing off to the females.
- Fütterungsfrequenz
- Twice daily
- To maintain optimal health and vitality, Hyphessobrycon ecuadoriensis should ideally be fed small portions one to two times per day. It is important to only offer an amount of food that the entire school can completely consume within two to three minutes. Overfeeding can lead to poor water quality, algae outbreaks, and potential health issues for these small fish. Providing a fasting day once a week can also be beneficial to clear their digestive tracts and replicate natural food scarcity.
- Bioload
- Low
- The bioload produced by Hyphessobrycon ecuadoriensis is generally considered to be quite low due to their small adult size and active metabolism. These tiny fish do not generate significant amounts of waste, making them excellent candidates for densely planted setups or nano aquariums when kept in appropriate numbers. However, a proper filtration system and regular water changes are still essential to maintain optimal water quality. If kept in very large schools, their cumulative bioload can increase slightly, but it rarely overwhelms a standard, cycled aquarium filter.
- Fluss
- Moderate
- Coming from environments ranging from sluggish tributaries to moderately flowing streams, Hyphessobrycon ecuadoriensis appreciates a gentle to moderate water flow in the aquarium. They are not built to constantly battle strong, torrential currents, which would quickly exhaust them and induce significant stress. Employing a spray bar or directing the filter outflow towards the tank glass can help diffuse the water movement effectively. Providing calmer resting areas among dense vegetation allows them to retreat and conserve energy whenever needed.
- Sprungrisiko
- Yes
- Like many small, active species, Hyphessobrycon ecuadoriensis possesses a moderate risk of jumping out of the aquarium, especially when startled or during the initial acclimation period. Sudden changes in lighting, aggressive tank mates, or sudden movements outside the tank can easily spook them into a leaping reflex. It is highly recommended to keep the aquarium securely covered with a tight-fitting lid or a specialized mesh screen. Floating plants can also be added to the surface to help them feel more secure and deter jumping behaviors.
- Reproduktion
- Egg scatterer
- Hyphessobrycon ecuadoriensis belongs to the category of egg-scattering fish, meaning they broadcast their eggs freely without providing any subsequent parental care. In a dedicated breeding setup, dim lighting, very soft, acidic water, and an abundance of fine-leaved plants or spawning mops are required to encourage spawning. The adult fish are notorious egg-eaters and must be removed from the breeding tank immediately after the spawning event concludes. Once hatched, the microscopic fry require infusoria or specialized liquid fry food until they are large enough to accept baby brine shrimp.
- Kompatibilität & Tankkameraden
- Peaceful
- Hyphessobrycon ecuadoriensis is an incredibly peaceful and sociable schooling fish that makes a fantastic addition to most community aquariums. They thrive when kept alongside similarly sized, non-aggressive species such as Corydoras catfish, small rasboras, and other docile tetras. It is crucial to avoid housing them with large or predatory fish that might view them as a quick snack, such as larger cichlids. Maintaining them in a group of at least six individuals will help them feel secure, significantly reducing any potential stress or shyness.
- Tankfüllstand
- Middle/Bottom
- In the aquarium, Hyphessobrycon ecuadoriensis primarily inhabits the middle to upper levels of the water column, rarely venturing completely to the bottom unless searching for fallen food. They are enthusiastic swimmers that appreciate plenty of open swimming space in the center of the tank to dart around in their schooling formations. Providing tall background plants or floating vegetation will give them the upper-level cover they desire without encroaching on their preferred swimming zones. Their mid-water presence makes them an excellent choice for adding active, colorful movement to the central focal point of a planted setup.
Wissenschaftliche Modelle & Parameter
FishBase
Zugang zu den offiziellen wissenschaftlichen Daten der Art
FishBase v25.04Daten synchronisiert am: 15.06.2026
- Trophäenniveau
- 3 ± 0,3 se
- Belastbarkeit
- Hoch (weniger als 15 Monate)
- Phylogenetische Einzigartigkeit (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayessche Längen-Gewichts-Beziehung
- a = 0.00676, b = 3.12
- AnfälligkeitGeringe Anfälligkeit (10 / 100)
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