Georgette's Tetra
Hyphessobrycon georgettae
Georgette's Tetra is a small micro-predator from Suriname's amber rivers. It flourishes in nano aquariums rich in shelters like intricate roots, moss, leaf litter, and shielded floating vegetation.
Wassertemperatur
22 - 28 °C
pH-Wert
5.5 - 7
Wassertyp
Süßwasser
Tankfüllstand
Mitte
Erwachsenengröße
3,5 cm
Mindesttankvolumen
>= 80 L
Mindestgruppe
>= 6
GH
1 - 10 dGH
KH
1 - 6 dKH
TDS
25 - 210 ppm
Leitfähigkeit
39 - 328 uS/cm
Artbeschreibung
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Originating from Suriname (e.g. Sipaliwini River). Lives in clear and weakly amber rivers that cross lush forests, in slow-flowing areas with plenty of marginal cover and epiphytic algae.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Georgette's Tetra (Hyphessobrycon georgettae). A fascinating and uncommon species. Classic fusiform tetra body, slender and aerodynamic, suitable for hiding among tangles of roots.
Social Behavior: Mild, peaceful, at times very shy. Like all small prey fish, it acquires courage only if housed in a substantial school (8-10 individuals). Spends its days timidly exploring the substrates.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The background color is semi-transparent silvery. The main feature is the very large eye (adaptation to shaded areas) with the upper part bright red. Males are slenderer and slightly more colorful than the round females.
Pflege, Zucht und Mitbewohner
Aquarium Setup: Prefers Nano aquariums or 60 cm (24 inches) tanks extremely rich in shelters. Intricate roots covered with moss, dry leaves on the bottom, and shielded light (Salvinia or Pistia) will recreate its sense of security.
Diet and Feeding: Small micro-predator. Extremely fine foods must be administered given the very small mouth. Finely crushed flakes, fry powders, and the inevitable daphnia or brine shrimp nauplii to invigorate it.
Water Quality: Fresh and soft waters. It is not tolerant to chemical imbalances or hard alkaline water, which would cause it to waste away. Ensure excellent biological filtration but with a gentle flow (e.g. sponge filter).
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Extremely vulnerable if paired with large or boisterous fish. Ideal tankmates are other nano-fish: Boraras, Nannostomus, Corydoras pygmaeus, and Otocinclus. Great for tanks with Neocaridina shrimp.
Aquarium Breeding: Difficult, linked to the chemical perfection of the water. If ready, they scatter tiny eggs in the mosses. Parents are insatiable predators of the offspring and must be removed promptly. Microscopic larvae (infusoria necessary).
Risks and Diseases: The greatest threat to H. georgettae is starvation if competing with faster fish, or ammonia poisoning in recently set up tanks ("new tank syndrome").
Geografische Herkunft und Verbreitung
Originating from Suriname (e.g. Sipaliwini River). Lives in clear and weakly amber rivers that cross lush forests, in slow-flowing areas with plenty of marginal cover and epiphytic algae.
Ursprung
Tropische Ozeane und RiffeAmazonas, Orinoco und GuayanaNordamerikaOstasien
Fischprofil
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- The Hyphessobrycon georgettae is renowned for its peaceful, albeit somewhat shy and timid, temperament. They are highly social fish that absolutely depend on the presence of a sizable school for their confidence and well-being. When kept in sufficient numbers, they exhibit a lively and inquisitive nature, gracefully exploring the aquarium. However, if kept alone or in very small groups, they will likely become withdrawn, pale, and prone to hiding constantly.
- Diät
- Omnivore
- In its natural habitat, the Hyphessobrycon georgettae is a micro-predator that primarily feeds on tiny invertebrates and zooplankton. In captivity, they eagerly accept a staple diet of high-quality crushed flakes and micro-pellets. To support their overall health and promote optimal development—such as their vibrant strawberry coloration under proper lighting—their diet should be frequently supplemented with live or frozen foods like Daphnia and cyclops. A diverse nutritional profile is crucial for maintaining a robust immune system.
- Lebenserwartung
- 3-5 years
- Erwachsenengröße
- 3.5 cm
- Geschlechterverhältnis
- School
- When establishing a school of Hyphessobrycon georgettae, maintaining a relatively balanced mix of males and females is beneficial. Males generally exhibit a slimmer profile and often display their characteristic reddish hues more intensely compared to the plumper females. Having slightly more females than males can help dissipate any minor intra-species sparring when males display for dominance. Ultimately, keeping a large enough overall group size is more critical than the exact sex ratio.
- Fütterungsfrequenz
- Twice daily
- For optimal health, the Hyphessobrycon georgettae should be fed small portions two to three times a day. Only offer an amount of food that the school can completely consume within two minutes to prevent water fouling. Overfeeding is a common issue with small characins, so strict portion control must be maintained. This frequent, small-meal approach closely mimics their continuous foraging behavior in the wild.
- Bioload
- Low
- The Hyphessobrycon georgettae contributes a very low bioload to the aquarium ecosystem due to its small size. This makes them highly suitable for densely planted nano tanks and community setups alike. Despite their low waste production, maintaining a strict schedule of weekly water changes is highly recommended. A standard, high-quality biological filtration system will easily process the minimal waste generated by a healthy school.
- Fluss
- Stagnant
- The Hyphessobrycon georgettae naturally inhabits slow-moving streams and flooded forest areas, meaning they prefer gentle water flow in the aquarium. Strong currents from overpowered filters can quickly exhaust these small fish and cause chronic stress. A sponge filter or a baffled hang-on-back filter is usually the most appropriate choice to provide oxygenation without turbulent flow. Providing dense clusters of aquatic plants will also give them tranquil resting spots.
- Sprungrisiko
- Yes
- Like many similarly sized characins, the Hyphessobrycon georgettae presents a moderate jumping risk, especially when initially introduced or startled. A secure, tight-fitting aquarium lid or a glass canopy is absolutely essential to prevent accidental losses. Employing floating plants such as Salvinia or Amazon Frogbit can provide overhead cover, which significantly reduces their skittishness. Stable water parameters and a peaceful environment will also minimize this leaping behavior.
- Reproduktion
- Oviparous
- Breeding the Hyphessobrycon georgettae requires a separate, dimly lit breeding tank equipped with soft, slightly acidic water. They are typical egg-scatterers that exhibit no parental care whatsoever, and they will readily consume their own eggs if left in the breeding tank. Spawning typically occurs among fine-leaved plants, after which the adults must be immediately removed. The microscopic fry require infusoria or specialized liquid foods until they are large enough to eat freshly hatched brine shrimp.
- Kompatibilität & Tankkameraden
- Semi-aggressive
- As a peaceful schooling species, the Hyphessobrycon georgettae thrives when kept in a vibrant community aquarium. They require the security of a group, so maintaining them in schools of at least eight individuals is essential. Excellent tank mates include small rasboras, Corydoras catfish, and other equally peaceful characins. Aggressive, large, or excessively boisterous fish should be strictly avoided to prevent them from becoming stressed or preyed upon.
- Tankfüllstand
- Middle
- The Hyphessobrycon georgettae is an active swimmer that primarily occupies the mid to upper levels of the aquarium water column. They deeply appreciate having a large, open swimming space in the center of the tank to school properly. They will often dart around the middle strata during the day, occasionally diving to the substrate during feeding times. Tall background plants and floating vegetation help them feel secure in these preferred swimming zones.
Wissenschaftliche Modelle & Parameter
FishBase
Zugang zu den offiziellen wissenschaftlichen Daten der Art
FishBase v25.04Daten synchronisiert am: 15.06.2026
- Trophäenniveau
- 2,9 ± 0,3 se
- Belastbarkeit
- Hoch (weniger als 15 Monate)
- Phylogenetische Einzigartigkeit (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayessche Längen-Gewichts-Beziehung
- a = 0.01202, b = 3.09
- AnfälligkeitGeringe Anfälligkeit (10 / 100)
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