Socolof's Tetra
Megalamphodus socolofi
Socolof's Tetra thrives in the acidic, tannin-rich blackwater tributaries of the Rio Negro. It absolutely needs a shaded biotope with a white sand bottom, dry leaf litter, and natural roots.
Température de l’eau
24 - 28 °C
Valeur du pH
5.5 - 7
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Milieu
Taille adulte
4,5 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 80 L
Groupe minimal
8
GH
1 - 10 dGH
KH
1 - 4 dKH
TDS
25 - 190 ppm
Conductivité
39 - 297 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Originating from Brazil, particularly in the Rio Negro system. Inhabits the slow "blackwater" tributaries (Igarapés), acidic and impregnated with tannins released by the decomposition of the thick forest above.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Socolof's Tetra / Spotfin Tetra (Megalamphodus socolofi). Dedicated to importer Ross Socolof. It has the classic moderately compressed body of the Hyphessobrycon genus and is renowned for its appearance extremely similar to H. erythrostigma (Bleeding Heart) but on a smaller scale and without a red spot.
Social Behavior: Strongly schooling and peaceful. Males tend to spar without ever hurting themselves for the control of a tiny temporary territory in the thick of the tank. Must reside in groups of at least 8 individuals.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Splendid contrast: semi-diaphanous pinkish body, but unlike erythrostigma, it does not have the "bleeding heart". The key feature is a large conspicuous dark spot on the dorsal fin, often bordered with bright white. Males with a larger and more pointed dorsal fin.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Prefers shade and a true Blackwater biotope. Tanks of at least 80 cm (32 inches), sifted white sand bottom, very few shade-loving plants (Anubias, Moss) covered by roots projecting tangles and dry leaves over the entire substrate.
Diet and Feeding: Natural insectivore/micro-predator. In addition to quality crumbled dry food, to keep the white color of the fin vivid it is necessary to provide micro-organisms such as daphnia, brine shrimp, and small larvae (bloodworms).
Water Quality: Not suitable for beginners or aquariums with hard tap water. Strictly demands soft (low GH) and acidic (pH around 6.0) water, with frequent water changes and the use of filtering peat.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Excellent to accompany acidic water cichlids such as Discus (if the tank is not too hot, max 28°C / 82°F), ramirezi, apistogramma or large schools of Hemigrammus bleheri or Paracheirodon axelrodi.
Aquarium Breeding: Complex, as it depends on correct pH and very low conductivity. Pairs, isolated in 20-liter tanks in dim light, scatter their eggs in the morning. Remove the adults immediately. Larvae are extremely photophobic.
Risks and Diseases: The large fins of the males are delicate and subject to bacterial infections (Fin rot) if nitrates and ammonia are not meticulously monitored. Failure to acclimate gently leads to osmotic shock.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Originating from Brazil, particularly in the Rio Negro system. Inhabits the slow "blackwater" tributaries (Igarapés), acidic and impregnated with tannins released by the decomposition of the thick forest above.
Origine
Océans tropicaux et récifsAmazonie, Orénoque et Guyanes
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- The Megalamphodus socolofi 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 Megalamphodus socolofi 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 distinctive red spot on the flank and colorful fins—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
- 4.5 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- School
- When establishing a school of Megalamphodus socolofi, maintaining a relatively balanced mix of males and females is beneficial. Males generally exhibit a slimmer profile and often display their characteristic pinkish-silver body 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 Megalamphodus socolofi 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 to Medium
- The Megalamphodus socolofi 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 Megalamphodus socolofi 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 Megalamphodus socolofi 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 Megalamphodus socolofi 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 Megalamphodus socolofi 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 Megalamphodus socolofi 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
- 3,2 ± 0,4 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5002
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.01995, b = 3.01
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
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