Blue-ribbon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon melanostichos
This species is native to South America, specifically found in the upper Rio Tapajós basin in Mato Grosso, Brazil. It inhabits small tributaries, cree.
Temperatura da água
24 - 28 °C
Valor de pH
6 - 7.2
Tipo de água
Água doce
Nível do tanque
Parte inferior e intermediária
Tamanho adulto
3,8 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 60 L
Grupo mínimo
>= 6
GH
2 - 10 dGH
KH
1 - 5 dKH
TDS
40 - 200 ppm
Condutividade
63 - 313 uS/cm
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This species is native to South America, specifically found in the upper Rio Tapajós basin in Mato Grosso, Brazil. It inhabits small tributaries, creeks, and flooded forest areas with slow-moving waters and sandy beds covered in leaf litter.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Belonging to the family Characidae and genus Hyphessobrycon, it features a slender and laterally compressed body typical of small characins. It reaches a maximum size of about 3.8 cm and possesses an adipose fin.
Social Behavior: An extremely peaceful and shoaling species that must be kept in groups of at least 6-8 individuals. Keeping them in a school promotes social well-being, reduces shyness, and displays natural swimming behaviors.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The body coloration is characterized by a prominent dark longitudinal band and iridescent blue-green highlights on the back. Adult males exhibit more intense colors and a slimmer body profile compared to females.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Aquarium Setup: A tank of at least 60 liters is recommended, decorated with a dark substrate and plenty of live plants to create shaded areas. Adding driftwood and Catappa leaves helps mimic their natural blackwater habitat.
Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous species. In captivity, it readily accepts high-quality flakes and micro-pellets. Feed a varied diet including frozen or live foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and cyclops to support coloration.
Water Quality: Prefers soft, acidic water conditions. Temperature should be kept between 24°C and 28°C, pH 6.0-7.2, and hardness GH 2-10 dGH. Efficient filtration is required, but water flow should be kept moderate.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Ideal for community aquariums. Excellent tankmates include other small tetras, Corydoras, dwarf cichlids like Apistogramma, and small catfish. Do not house with large or predatory fish species.
Aquarium Breeding: Egg scatterer with no parental care. Adults will consume their own eggs, so a separate breeding tank with spawning mops or fine-leaved moss is highly recommended.
Risks and Diseases: Highly sensitive to sudden changes in water chemistry and bacterial infections. They present a significant jump risk when startled, so a tightly-fitted aquarium cover is essential.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
This species is native to South America, specifically found in the upper Rio Tapajós basin in Mato Grosso, Brazil. It inhabits small tributaries, creeks, and flooded forest areas with slow-moving waters and sandy beds covered in leaf litter.
Origem
Extra-Amazônica América do SulAmérica do Norte
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- Peaceful
- The temperament of Hyphessobrycon melanostichos 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.
- Dieta
- Omnivore
- In their natural habitat, Hyphessobrycon melanostichos 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.
- Expectativa de vida
- 3-5 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 3.8 cm
- Proporção sexual
- School
- While Hyphessobrycon melanostichos 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.
- Frequência de alimentação
- Twice daily
- To maintain optimal health and vitality, Hyphessobrycon melanostichos 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.
- Carga biológica
- Low
- The bioload produced by Hyphessobrycon melanostichos 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.
- Fluxo
- Moderate
- Coming from environments ranging from sluggish tributaries to moderately flowing streams, Hyphessobrycon melanostichos 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.
- Risco de salto
- Yes
- Like many small, active species, Hyphessobrycon melanostichos 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.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Hyphessobrycon melanostichos 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.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- Peaceful
- Hyphessobrycon melanostichos 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.
- Nível do tanque
- Middle/Bottom
- In the aquarium, Hyphessobrycon melanostichos 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.
Modelos e parâmetros científicos
FishBase
Acesso aos dados científicos oficiais da espécie
FishBase v25.04Dados sincronizados em: 15/06/2026
- Nível trófico
- 2,9 ± 0,3 se
- Resiliência
- Alta (menos de 15 meses)
- Unicidade filogenética (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.00676, b = 3.12
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade baixa (10 / 100)
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