Flame tetra

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Coastal area of Brazil (Guanabara river basin, near Rio de Janeiro). Inhabits slow, shallow rivers of the Atlantic forest, rich in coastal vegetation.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Flame Tetra / Von Rio Tetra (Hyphessobrycon flammeus). Classic tetra with a slightly compressed rhomboidal body. Famous since the dawn of the aquarium hobby for its exceptional resistance.

Social Behavior: Quiet and schooling (gregarious 8-10+). Extremely peaceful, spends its days exploring the mid-level of the tank, with sporadic harmless skirmishes between dominant males.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Olive-silver anterior half with two weak dark vertical bars ("epaulets"); brilliant red posterior half and fins (Flame). The male has a black edge on the anal fin, the female has it transparent.

Aquarium Setup: Adapts to everything. Prefers planted 60 cm (24 inch) tanks, with a dark background and medium lighting. Provide hiding places but also open swimming spaces; amber water enhances the fire red.

Diet and Feeding: Undemanding omnivore. Immediately accepts any type of small dry food (flakes). Supplement with brine shrimp or daphnia to intensify the brilliance of the reds.

Water Quality: The "Iron Tetra". Tolerates high hardness (GH up to 15) and temperature variations better than most South Americans, being native to variable coastal areas.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Perfect for community tanks. Does not nip fins. Coexists optimally with Corydoras, Ancistrus, Apistogramma and other small Characins or Rasboras. Avoid only overly large tankmates.

Aquarium Reproduction: Among the easiest (Egg-scatterer). In soft, acidic water, they lay eggs in the morning among fine-leaved plants. Parents cannibalize the brood, must be removed to save the fry.

Risks and Diseases: Risk of hybridization and genetic weakening: today's commercial strains are often pale or deformed due to prolonged intensive breeding over decades.