Blueberry Tetra
Hyphessobrycon wadai
The blueberry tetra (Hyphessobrycon wadai) is a stunning freshwater fish native to Brazil, highly prized for its iridescent purple-blue coloration and peaceful schooling nature.
Wassertemperatur
22 - 27 °C
pH-Wert
5.5 - 7.5
Wassertyp
Süßwasser
Tankfüllstand
Unten und in der Mitte
Erwachsenengröße
4,5 cm
Mindesttankvolumen
>= 75 L
Mindestgruppe
>= 8
GH
2 - 12 dGH
KH
1 - 8 dKH
TDS
40 - 260 ppm
Leitfähigkeit
63 - 406 uS/cm
Artbeschreibung
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This freshwater species is native to South America, endemic to the Tapajós River basin in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. It inhabits small forest streams (igarapés) characterized by clear to light-tannin waters, slow to moderate currents, sandy substrates covered with leaf litter, and dense overhanging riparian vegetation.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Hyphessobrycon wadai belongs to the Characidae family, genus Hyphessobrycon. It features a laterally compressed, relatively deep body shape typical of the genus. It possesses a well-defined adipose fin and developed dorsal and anal fins. Adults reach a maximum standard length of approximately 4.0 to 4.5 cm, making it a compact species.
Social Behavior: It is a peaceful, active, and schooling fish. It must be kept in a school of at least 8 to 10 individuals to ensure they feel secure, reduce stress, and display natural, active schooling behaviors. They swim primarily in the middle and upper levels of the water column and do not show territorial aggression.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The body coloration is a beautiful, iridescent blueberry-blue or deep purple under proper lighting. The dorsal and caudal fins are highlighted with bright reddish-orange tips. Sexual dimorphism is visible in mature specimens: males are slimmer, exhibit significantly more intense coloration, and possess longer dorsal and anal fins than females.
Pflege, Zucht und Mitbewohner
Aquarium Setup: Requires an aquarium of at least 80 liters (20 gallons) to house a school. The tank should be densely planted along the sides and back, leaving plenty of open swimming space in the center. The addition of driftwood, twisted roots, and dried leaf litter (such as catappa leaves) helps replicate its natural stream habitat. A dark substrate is recommended.
Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous. In captivity, it readily accepts high-quality dry foods such as flakes and micro-granules. To promote vibrant coloration and breeding health, supplement their diet regularly with small live or frozen foods, including daphnia, brine shrimp, copepods, and bloodworms. Feed small amounts once or twice daily.
Water Quality: Prefers soft, slightly acidic to neutral water conditions: temperature between 23°C and 28°C, pH between 5.5 and 7.5, and water hardness between 2 and 10 dGH. Good biological filtration and regular partial water changes (15-20% weekly) are necessary to maintain low nitrate levels, as they are sensitive to accumulated organic waste.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Excellent candidate for peaceful freshwater community aquariums. It coexists harmoniously with other small tetras, rasboras, corydoras catfish, otocinclus, and peaceful dwarf cichlids (like Apistogramma). Avoid keeping them with large, boisterous, or predatory fish species that could view them as prey.
Aquarium Breeding: Egg scatterer. Spawning occurs among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops, with no parental care provided. For successful breeding, set up a separate spawning tank with soft, acidic water and dimmed lighting. Parents must be removed immediately after spawning to prevent egg consumption. Raise fry on infusoria.
Risks and Diseases: Resilient and easy to care for under stable conditions. Prone to common freshwater diseases like ich (white spot disease) if subjected to sudden temperature fluctuations or poor water maintenance. Quarantine new specimens before adding them to the main aquarium, and maintain a regular water change schedule.
Geografische Herkunft und Verbreitung
This freshwater species is native to South America, endemic to the Tapajós River basin in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. It inhabits small forest streams (igarapés) characterized by clear to light-tannin waters, slow to moderate currents, sandy substrates covered with leaf litter, and dense overhanging riparian vegetation.
Ursprung
Extra-Amazonas-Südamerika
Fischprofil
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- The temperament of Hyphessobrycon wadai 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 wadai 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 wadai 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 wadai 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 wadai 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
- Stagnant
- Coming from environments ranging from sluggish tributaries to moderately flowing streams, Hyphessobrycon wadai 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 wadai 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
- Oviparous
- Hyphessobrycon wadai 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
- With caution
- Hyphessobrycon wadai 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 wadai 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
- 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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