Flag Tetra
Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus
Unmistakable 'Flag Tetra', famous for its three parallel horizontal black, red and golden bands that give it the appearance of the Belgian or German flag.
Temperatura da água
22 - 28 °C
Valor de pH
5.5 - 7
Tipo de água
Água doce
Nível do tanque
Meio
Tamanho adulto
4,5 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 80 L
Grupo mínimo
>= 6
GH
1 - 12 dGH
KH
1 - 6 dKH
TDS
25 - 240 ppm
Condutividade
39 - 375 uS/cm
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Tocantins River basin and coastal rivers of the state of Pará, in Brazil. Inhabits small shaded streams (Igarapés), ponds, and marginal pools with clear or amber waters, characterized by abundant plant material on the bottom.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Flag Tetra (Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus). Has the elongated lozenge shape typical of many slender tetras. Often confused with the Penguin Tetra (Thayeria boehlkei) due to the black stripe, but the Flag Tetra has a horizontal, not oblique, posture.
Social Behavior: Peaceful, but active. Tends to be a bit shy if not placed in sufficiently large groups (minimum 8-10 individuals). If the school is sufficient, it swims boldly in open waters creating a striking optical effect.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: "Flag" livery: the flank is horizontally divided by three contiguous and bright stripes (red, gold/white, and very thick black), resembling the Belgian flag. Males are slimmer and have more saturated colors than females.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Aquarium Setup: Minimum 60 cm (24 inches) aquarium, densely planted at the margins with twisted roots to create shelters. The red color of the stripe will stand out superbly under dimmed lights and on a very dark substrate.
Diet and Feeding: Generalist omnivore (micro-predator). Easy diet based on minute flakes and granules. To keep the red line bright, it is essential to regularly provide daphnia, bloodworms, and brine shrimp.
Water Quality: Very hardy if acclimated gradually. Prefers soft and weakly acidic waters, but captive-bred specimens adapt well to neutral waters of medium hardness. Purity (low nitrates) is vital.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Excellent community fish. Peaceful with everyone. Pairs perfectly with dwarf Loricariids, Corydoras, Apistogramma, and other small Characins or Rasboras. Only avoid excessively large or boisterous tankmates.
Aquarium Breeding: Non-adhesive eggs laid among plants in the morning. A dimly lit breeding tank with a bottom protection grid is recommended to save the eggs from the parents' insatiable appetite.
Risks and Diseases: Hardy species. The greatest danger lies in chronic stress caused by isolation (few specimens) or overly bare tanks, which leads to severe color fading and weakening.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Tocantins River basin and coastal rivers of the state of Pará, in Brazil. Inhabits small shaded streams (Igarapés), ponds, and marginal pools with clear or amber waters, characterized by abundant plant material on the bottom.
Origem
Oceanos tropicais e recifesAmazônia, Orinoco e Guianas
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- Semi-aggressive
- The Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus 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.
- Dieta
- Omnivore
- In its natural habitat, the Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus 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 tricolor lateral line resembling a national flag—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.
- Expectativa de vida
- 3-5 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 4.5 cm
- Proporção sexual
- School
- When establishing a school of Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus, maintaining a relatively balanced mix of males and females is beneficial. Males generally exhibit a slimmer profile and often display their characteristic tricolor lateral stripes 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.
- Frequência de alimentação
- Twice daily
- For optimal health, the Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus 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.
- Carga biológica
- Low
- The Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus 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.
- Fluxo
- Stagnant
- The Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus 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.
- Risco de salto
- Yes
- Like many similarly sized characins, the Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus 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.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Breeding the Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus 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.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- Peaceful
- As a peaceful schooling species, the Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus 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.
- Nível do tanque
- Middle
- The Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus 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.
Modelos e parâmetros científicos
FishBase
Acesso aos dados científicos oficiais da espécie
FishBase v25.04Dados sincronizados em: 15/06/2026
- Nível trófico
- 2,9 ± 0,31 se
- Resiliência
- Alta (menos de 15 meses)
- Unicidade filogenética (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.01122, b = 3.14
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade baixa (10 / 100)
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