Vorderwinkler's Tetra
Hemigrammus vorderwinkleri
Very rare in the aquarium hobby, vaguely resembles a cross between a faded 'Neon' and an H. erythrozonus. Discreet gold/green iridescent band along the lateral line on a straw-colored body.
Temperatura da água
24 - 28 °C
Valor de pH
5.5 - 7
Tipo de água
Água doce
Nível do tanque
Meio
Tamanho adulto
4 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 80 L
Grupo mínimo
>= 6
GH
1 - 10 dGH
KH
1 - 4 dKH
TDS
25 - 190 ppm
Condutividade
39 - 297 uS/cm
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the middle and upper Rio Negro basin in Brazil. Typical species of pristine black waters (Blackwater), it swims among dense flooded forests rich in tannins and substrates formed by dried leaves and branches.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Vorderwinkler's Tetra (Hemigrammus vorderwinkleri). Small characin with a slender, ovoid shape. Relatively large eye to aid vision in dark waters, and a forked caudal fin.
Social Behavior: Gregarious, shy, and peaceful nature. To overcome its intrinsic shyness, it must be kept in schools of at least 8-10 individuals. Males form small temporary hierarchies without ever injuring themselves.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Semi-transparent body tending towards olive-yellow, with a delicate iridescent golden lateral line. The upper half of the eye is lit with a soft orange-red. Mature females have a much rounder abdomen.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Aquarium Setup: An amber biotope aquarium is ideal. Peat filtration, little or no direct light (shielded by Pistia or Salvinia), and a dark bottom. Intricate roots will offer reassuring refuges, promoting natural colors.
Diet and Feeding: Insectivore and micro-predator. Easy to feed: flakes, micro-pellets, and freeze-dried foods. To simulate the natural diet and induce reproduction, it is good to provide daphnia, cyclops, and bloodworms (live or frozen).
Water Quality: Intolerant to high nitrates and calcareous waters. Requires very soft (GH < 8) and acidic water (pH 5.5-6.5). A regular water change with RO and the addition of catappa extracts is strongly recommended.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Perfect for delicate community tanks. Excellent with Nannostomus, Carnegiella, small Loricariids, and Apistogramma. NEVER keep with aggressive fish or fish large enough to consider it prey (e.g. Pterophyllum).
Aquarium Breeding: Pelagic egg scatterers (among plants). They spawn at dawn after intense male chases. Requires a sterile breeding aquarium, dark acidic water, and a bottom net, as parents are avid predators of their own eggs.
Risks and Diseases: In unsuitable waters (hard and alkaline) it undergoes constant osmotic stress, fading colors and becoming prey to skin fungi (Saprolegnia) and intestinal parasites.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Endemic to the middle and upper Rio Negro basin in Brazil. Typical species of pristine black waters (Blackwater), it swims among dense flooded forests rich in tannins and substrates formed by dried leaves and branches.
Origem
Oceanos tropicais e recifesAmazônia, Orinoco e Guianas
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- Semi-aggressive
- They are exceptionally peaceful and somewhat shy, requiring a large school of at least six individuals to feel secure. When kept in smaller numbers, they may become stressed, lose their vibrant colors, and hide continuously. A proper schooling environment encourages their natural, confident behaviors and tight grouping dynamics.
- Dieta
- Omnivore
- In the wild, they are micro-predators feeding on small insects, worms, and crustaceans. In the aquarium, they readily accept high-quality crushed flakes, micro-pellets, and freeze-dried foods. Supplementing their diet with live or frozen foods like daphnia, baby brine shrimp, and bloodworms will enhance their coloration and vitality.
- Expectativa de vida
- 1-3 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 4 cm
- Proporção sexual
- School
- Keeping a balanced ratio or a slight majority of females is generally recommended to prevent males from constantly harassing a single female. In a large enough school, the sex ratio becomes less critical as aggression is dispersed. A larger group naturally forms a healthy hierarchy, minimizing any stress related to breeding behavior.
- Frequência de alimentação
- Twice daily
- It is highly recommended to feed them two to three small meals a day rather than one large one. Offering only what they can consume within a couple of minutes ensures minimal food waste and prevents water quality degradation. Frequent, small feedings closely mimic their natural foraging behavior in the wild.
- Carga biológica
- Low
- These small tetras produce a minimal bioload, making them excellent candidates for smaller or heavily planted aquariums. They do not generate significant amounts of waste compared to larger species, reducing the burden on the filtration system. However, keeping them in large schools will naturally increase the overall waste output, requiring adequate biological filtration.
- Fluxo
- Stagnant
- They prefer a moderate to low water flow that simulates the slow-moving tributaries and flooded forest regions of their natural habitat. Strong currents can exhaust these small fish and cause them significant stress over time. Providing areas of still water, particularly near dense vegetation, allows them places to rest comfortably.
- Risco de salto
- Yes
- Like many tetras, they are capable of jumping, particularly when startled by sudden movements or lighting changes. A secure, well-fitting aquarium lid is strongly recommended to prevent any accidental escapes. Floating plants can also help make them feel more secure and reduce their instinct to jump.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Breeding these tetras can be challenging as they are egg-scatterers that provide no parental care. They require soft, acidic water and dim lighting to trigger spawning behavior successfully. A separate breeding tank with fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop is necessary, and parents must be removed immediately after laying eggs to prevent predation.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- Semi-aggressive
- This species is incredibly peaceful and thrives in a community setup with other similarly sized, non-aggressive fish. Excellent tank mates include small rasboras, Corydoras catfish, and peaceful dwarf cichlids. They should never be kept with large or aggressive species that might view them as prey or cause them undue stress.
- Nível do tanque
- Middle
- These fish primarily occupy the middle to upper levels of the water column in the aquarium. They are active swimmers that appreciate ample open swimming space combined with areas of dense planting. While they occasionally dart to the surface for food or explore the bottom, they will spend most of their time cruising the midwater.
Modelos e parâmetros científicos
FishBase
Acesso aos dados científicos oficiais da espécie
FishBase v25.04Dados sincronizados em: 15/06/2026
- Nível trófico
- 3,2 ± 0,4 se
- Resiliência
- Alta (menos de 15 meses)
- Unicidade filogenética (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.00575, b = 3.16
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade baixa (10 / 100)
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