Coffee-bean Tetra
Hyphessobrycon takasei
The unmistakable 'coffee bean' tetra, nicknamed this way because of the gigantic blackish oval spot positioned in the exact center of each flank of its stocky pinkish body.
Température de l’eau
24 - 28 °C
Valeur du pH
5.5 - 7.2
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Milieu
Taille adulte
3,5 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 80 L
Groupe minimal
>= 6
GH
1 - 12 dGH
KH
1 - 6 dKH
TDS
25 - 240 ppm
Conductivité
39 - 375 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Originating from the Araguari River basin in the state of Amapá in Brazil. Lives in small shallow streams flowing under the dense forest canopy, with a muddy bottom strewn with leaves and organic debris.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Coffee Bean Tetra (Hyphessobrycon takasei). The common name "coffee bean" refers to the unmistakable dark oval spot on the flanks. Slender but tall species, morphologically compact, discovered by aquarium pioneer Heiko Bleher.
Social Behavior: Very lively but peaceful. Extremely gregarious, loves to move in a school exploring the middle and lower layer of the aquarium, inspecting everything in search of food particles. Minimum group: 8-10 individuals.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The base color is a very light translucent silver with golden nuances. On the flank stands out the gigantic and sharp dark "coffee bean" shaped spot. Males are slightly smaller and possess more pointed fins.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: 60-80 cm (24-32 inches) aquarium, densely planted. Prefers an "intricate" Amazonian layout, with wood (e.g. Red Moor), smooth rocks, undemanding plants (Cryptocoryne, Echinodorus), and dimmed light.
Diet and Feeding: No particular demands (Omnivore). It is a formidable flake eater. In order to keep its intestine healthy, administer frozen daphnia and a pinch of plant-based food regularly.
Water Quality: Fresh and well-filtered water, possibly amber to recreate the sense of security of the native rivers. pH from acidic to weakly neutral, without sudden weekly fluctuations.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Exemplary community fish. Suitable for nano-aquariums if in small schools or large tanks paired with Carnegiella (hatchetfish), Corydoras, and Nannostomus. Does not attack even fry of other species or adult neocaridina shrimp.
Aquarium Breeding: Very simple. Typical scatterer that disperses microscopic eggs on bushes of fine plants or mosses. They do not provide parental care. Isolate breeders in the evening and remove them after spawning at dawn.
Risks and Diseases: Robust, H. takasei suffers almost solely from pathologies related to aquarium hygiene. In bare tanks or with restless fish it will be terrified, fading away.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Originating from the Araguari River basin in the state of Amapá in Brazil. Lives in small shallow streams flowing under the dense forest canopy, with a muddy bottom strewn with leaves and organic debris.
Origine
Océans tropicaux et récifsAmazonie, Orénoque et Guyanes
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- The Hyphessobrycon takasei 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 takasei 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 large, prominent dark spot on the flanks resembling a coffee bean—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
- 3-4 years
- Taille adulte
- 3.5 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- School
- When establishing a school of Hyphessobrycon takasei, maintaining a relatively balanced mix of males and females is beneficial. Males generally exhibit a slimmer profile and often display their characteristic silver-brown 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 Hyphessobrycon takasei 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 takasei 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 takasei 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 takasei 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 takasei 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 takasei 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 takasei 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
- 2,9 ± 0,3 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.01995, b = 3.01
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
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