Loreto Tetra
Hyphessobrycon loretoensis
Small and silvery characin from Peru with a conspicuous continuous black line on the flanks. Very similar to Hyphessobrycon peruvianus from which it is distinguished by the thicker band.
Température de l’eau
22 - 26 °C
Valeur du pH
5.5 - 7
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Milieu
Taille adulte
4 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 80 L
Groupe minimal
>= 6
GH
1 - 10 dGH
KH
1 - 6 dKH
TDS
25 - 210 ppm
Conductivité
39 - 328 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Originating from the Loreto region in the Peruvian Amazon (hence the name). Populates slow-flowing black or very clear water streams, protected by the dense shade of the rain forest and with substrates rich in dry leaves.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Loreto Tetra (Hyphessobrycon loretoensis). Slender and slightly compressed. It has an elegant shape very similar to that of Neon tetras, suitable for slipping quickly into intricate vegetation.
Social Behavior: Extremely peaceful, shy, and strongly gregarious. Needs large schools (10+ individuals) to feel safe and show stationary daytime swimming. Without enough companions, it will hide perpetually.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Very delicate but spectacular livery: olive-gray back with a thick lower black band, topped by a bright silvery/golden line. The caudal fin is a dense cherry red. Females are stockier, males slender.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: An Amazonian "Blackwater" setup is recommended: dim light (floating plants like Limnobium), intricate wood to create shadows, fine sand, and alder cones or Catappa leaves to release reassuring tannins.
Diet and Feeding: Micro-predator. Readily accepts crushed flakes or small granules. Regular supplementation with small live/frozen food (nauplii, daphnia, cyclops) is indispensable to make the red tail shine.
Water Quality: Prefers acidic (pH 5.5-6.5) and very soft waters, and temperatures slightly below the Amazonian average (22-26°C / 72-79°F). It is sensitive to organic swings and nitrate accumulations. Requires a well-matured tank.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Ideal companion in a Peruvian biotope with Apistogramma (e.g. A. cacatuoides), Corydoras panda, Otocinclus, and other small tetras (Neons). Absolutely unsuitable to coexist with large cichlids, predators, or frenetic fish (e.g. Danios).
Aquarium Breeding: Quite complex. Requires very acidic water (pH < 6.0) filtered with peat, with low lighting. The pair spawns on fine-leaved plants; it is essential to remove the parents promptly.
Risks and Diseases: Very susceptible to bacterial fin infections and dropsy if kept in hard, calcareous water, or if exposed to a polluted environment due to poor filtration or lacking maintenance.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Originating from the Loreto region in the Peruvian Amazon (hence the name). Populates slow-flowing black or very clear water streams, protected by the dense shade of the rain forest and with substrates rich in dry leaves.
Origine
Océans tropicaux et récifsAmazonie, Orénoque et Guyanes
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- The Hyphessobrycon loretoensis 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.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- In its natural habitat, the Hyphessobrycon loretoensis 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 dark lower body sharply contrasting with a lighter upper half—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.
- Espérance de vie
- 3-5 years
- Taille adulte
- 4 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- School
- When establishing a school of Hyphessobrycon loretoensis, maintaining a relatively balanced mix of males and females is beneficial. Males generally exhibit a slimmer profile and often display their characteristic silver and black bi-coloration 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.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- For optimal health, the Hyphessobrycon loretoensis 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.
- Charge biologique
- Low
- The Hyphessobrycon loretoensis 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.
- Courant
- Stagnant
- The Hyphessobrycon loretoensis 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.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- Like many similarly sized characins, the Hyphessobrycon loretoensis 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.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding the Hyphessobrycon loretoensis 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.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Peaceful
- As a peaceful schooling species, the Hyphessobrycon loretoensis 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.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Middle
- The Hyphessobrycon loretoensis 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.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3 ± 0,3 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)
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