Meta Tetra
Hyphessobrycon metae
Vaguely similar to the 'Black Neon' due to the large thick black stripe accompanied by a light golden line, but with a slightly stockier body and shaded fins.
Wassertemperatur
22 - 28 °C
pH-Wert
5.5 - 7
Wassertyp
Süßwasser
Tankfüllstand
Mitte
Erwachsenengröße
4,5 cm
Mindesttankvolumen
>= 80 L
Mindestgruppe
>= 6
GH
1 - 12 dGH
KH
1 - 6 dKH
TDS
25 - 240 ppm
Leitfähigkeit
39 - 375 uS/cm
Artbeschreibung
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Orinoco River basin, particularly in the Rio Meta (Colombia and Venezuela). In nature, it populates oxbow lakes, slow streams (caños), and flooded forest areas characterized by dense vegetation and amber or clear water.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Meta Tetra (Hyphessobrycon metae). Morphologically similar to the Loreto Tetra (H. loretoensis) and the Peruvian Tetra (H. peruvianus). It has a slender body but slightly taller than neons, ideal for quick maneuvers.
Social Behavior: Gregarious nature, lives in large schools that give it security and reduce stress. It is indispensable to keep it in groups of at least 8-10 individuals. Lively swimmer and perpetually in motion.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Silvery-gray body crossed longitudinally by a marked black stripe bordered with gold, extending to the rays of the caudal fin. The lower lobe of the caudal is often pinkish or red. Males are slightly slenderer and more colorful.
Pflege, Zucht und Mitbewohner
Aquarium Setup: Minimum 60-80 cm (24-32 inches) tank. It is essential to offer a setup rich in submerged wood, plants (e.g. Echinodorus, Cabomba), and reduced lighting to enhance its iridescent liveries and tranquility.
Diet and Feeding: Easy micro-predator. The staple diet includes flakes and small granules. Regular integration of live (brine shrimp, daphnia) or frozen food will keep predatory activity and bright colors alive.
Water Quality: Appreciates soft and moderately acidic waters (pH 5.5-7.0) with nitrogenous pollutants close to zero. A mature filtration and light tannin releases (catappa leaves) are highly recommended.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Excellent for South American community aquariums. Coexists perfectly with Corydoras, Apistogramma, Ancistrus, and other small characins. Avoid coexistence with medium-large cichlids that could prey on it.
Aquarium Breeding: Oviparous species (egg-scatterer). Reproduces among fine-leaved vegetation. Devoid of parental care, the adult is a greedy predator of its own eggs. Immediately separate the pair after spawning.
Risks and Diseases: No specific susceptibility, provided well-filtered water is guaranteed. A small number of specimens will result in perpetual lethargy, loss of color, and immune weakening.
Geografische Herkunft und Verbreitung
Orinoco River basin, particularly in the Rio Meta (Colombia and Venezuela). In nature, it populates oxbow lakes, slow streams (caños), and flooded forest areas characterized by dense vegetation and amber or clear water.
Ursprung
Amazonas, Orinoco und Guayana
Fischprofil
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- The Hyphessobrycon metae 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 metae 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 distinctive black bar running from the dorsal to the anal fin—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
- 4.5 cm
- Geschlechterverhältnis
- School
- When establishing a school of Hyphessobrycon metae, maintaining a relatively balanced mix of males and females is beneficial. Males generally exhibit a slimmer profile and often display their characteristic silver body with a dark band 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 metae 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 metae 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 metae 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 metae 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 metae 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 metae 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 metae 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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