Blackline Tetra
Hyphessobrycon scholzei
An active and peaceful schooling freshwater fish from the Amazon basin, recognized by its bold black stripe and red fins. It adds dynamic movement to any planted community tank.
Température de l’eau
22 - 28 °C
Valeur du pH
6 - 7.5
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Milieu
Taille adulte
5 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 60 L
Groupe minimal
>= 6
GH
5 - 19 dGH
KH
3 - 12 dKH
TDS
105 - 405 ppm
Conductivité
164 - 633 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to South America, specifically widespread within the Amazon River basin of Brazil. It populates smaller streams, slow-moving forest tributaries, and flooded margins, preferring environments sheltered by dense submerged vegetation and overhanging tree roots.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Belongs to the family Characidae and the genus Hyphessobrycon. The species has a laterally compressed body, characteristic of small characins, and possesses a distinct adipose fin. Adult specimens grow to a maximum length of about 4 to 5 centimeters.
Social Behavior: Peaceful and highly social. This species must be kept in schools of at least 8 to 10 individuals; single or under-schooled fish can become stressed, timid, and lose their vibrant colors, whereas a group displays active, schooling behaviors.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The body has a silvery-grey base color with a prominent black longitudinal stripe extending from the gill cover to the base of the caudal fin. Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins often exhibit reddish coloration; males are slimmer and more intensely colored than females.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: An aquarium of 80 liters or larger is recommended. The tank should be densely planted around the perimeter, utilizing species like Vallisneria and Cryptocoryne, while leaving ample open swimming space in the center. Use dark substrate and driftwood.
Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous and easy to feed. Readily accepts premium flake foods and micro-granules. Enhance their coloration and vitality by offering small live or frozen foods such as daphnia, artemia, cyclops, and bloodworms twice a day.
Water Quality: Prefers soft, slightly acidic to neutral water. Keep the temperature between 22 and 28 °C, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.2, and general hardness within the range of 5 to 15 dGH. Conduct regular partial water changes.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Excellent candidate for peaceful community tanks. Highly compatible with other tetras, rasboras, corydoras catfish, peaceful dwarf cichlids, and small freshwater invertebrates; avoid housing with large, predatory tankmates.
Aquarium Breeding: Egg scatterer. Breeding is relatively straightforward in a separate spawning tank containing soft, acidic water and fine-leaved plants like Java moss. Remove adult fish immediately after spawning to protect the eggs.
Risks and Diseases: Quite hardy, but susceptible to common aquarium diseases such as Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (White Spot Disease) if subjected to sudden temperature drops or poor water quality. Maintain stable parameters to prevent illness.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Native to South America, specifically widespread within the Amazon River basin of Brazil. It populates smaller streams, slow-moving forest tributaries, and flooded margins, preferring environments sheltered by dense submerged vegetation and overhanging tree roots.
Origine
Amazonie, Orénoque et GuyanesAmérique du Nord
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Peaceful
- The temperament of Hyphessobrycon scholzei 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 scholzei 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
- 5 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Solitary
- While Hyphessobrycon scholzei 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 scholzei 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
- The bioload produced by Hyphessobrycon scholzei 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 scholzei 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 scholzei 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
- Oviparous
- Hyphessobrycon scholzei 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
- Peaceful
- Hyphessobrycon scholzei 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
- In the aquarium, Hyphessobrycon scholzei 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 ± 0,31 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.00676, b = 3.12
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
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