Langean's Tetra
Hyphessobrycon langeanii
This species is native to central Brazil, primarily found in the headwaters and tributaries of the upper Rio Araguaia basin. It inhabits clear to slig.
Température de l’eau
22 - 28 °C
Valeur du pH
6 - 7.5
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Fond et milieu
Taille adulte
4,5 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 70 L
Groupe minimal
>= 6
GH
3 - 12 dGH
KH
1 - 6 dKH
TDS
55 - 240 ppm
Conductivité
86 - 375 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This species is native to central Brazil, primarily found in the headwaters and tributaries of the upper Rio Araguaia basin. It inhabits clear to slightly turbid waters flowing over sandy and pebbly riverbeds.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Categorized under the genus Hyphessobrycon in the Characidae family. It has a compact body shape, reaching a maximum length of approximately 4.5 cm, and features typical tetra morphology.
Social Behavior: An active and peaceful shoaling fish. It is highly recommended to keep them in a group of 6-8 or more to establish a natural social structure and minimize stress.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Displays a bright silvery body with golden iridescence and a distinct dark spot on the caudal peduncle. Fins in adult males turn yellowish or reddish during courtship, and males are slimmer than females.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Suitable for tanks of at least 70 liters. Plan a layout with dense planting along the sides and back, leaving the center open for swimming. Use smooth rocks and branches to mimic their natural habitat.
Diet and Feeding: Easy to feed. Readily consumes flakes, micro-granules, and frozen foods like bloodworms or brine shrimp. A varied diet keeps them active and healthy.
Water Quality: Quite adaptable to a range of water values. Keep temperature at 22-28°C, pH between 6.0 and 7.5, and hardness GH between 3 and 12 dGH. Maintain regular water change schedules.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Peaceful and compatible with tetras, danios, rasboras, Corydoras, and dwarf cichlids. Its active nature makes it a great addition to general community aquariums.
Aquarium Breeding: Egg scatterer. Spawning can be induced by raising the water temperature slightly and conditioning with live foods. Eggs should be protected by removing the adults after spawning.
Risks and Diseases: A hardy species with few specific health issues, though general freshwater diseases can occur if water parameters degrade. Always use a covered aquarium to prevent jumping.
Origine et répartition géographiques
This species is native to central Brazil, primarily found in the headwaters and tributaries of the upper Rio Araguaia basin. It inhabits clear to slightly turbid waters flowing over sandy and pebbly riverbeds.
Origine
Océans tropicaux et récifsAmérique du Sud hors Amazonie
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Peaceful
- The temperament of Hyphessobrycon langeanii 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.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- In their natural habitat, Hyphessobrycon langeanii 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.
- Espérance de vie
- 3-5 years
- Taille adulte
- 4.5 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- School
- While Hyphessobrycon langeanii 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.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- To maintain optimal health and vitality, Hyphessobrycon langeanii 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.
- Charge biologique
- Low to Medium
- The bioload produced by Hyphessobrycon langeanii 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.
- Courant
- Moderate
- Coming from environments ranging from sluggish tributaries to moderately flowing streams, Hyphessobrycon langeanii 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.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- Like many small, active species, Hyphessobrycon langeanii 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.
- Reproduction
- Egg scatterer
- Hyphessobrycon langeanii 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.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Community
- Hyphessobrycon langeanii 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.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Middle/Bottom
- In the aquarium, Hyphessobrycon langeanii 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.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 2,9 ± 0,34 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.01202, b = 3.09
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)

































































