Fish, Tanks and Ponds

Etymology:

Hyphessobrycon: Greek, hyphesson, -on, -on = a little smaller + Greek, bryko = to bite.

General Notes:

Flameback bleeding heart tetras should be kept in a group of at least five individuals in an aquarium which replicates as much as possible their native habitat. Soft acidic tannin coloured water, subdues lighting and with bunches of plants and branches. Peat filtration will help to produce the right water conditions because this fish won't thrive in hard alkaline water.

Once settled rival males will begin displaying to each other in order to determine a pecking order although no physical harm will result from these displays. These fish can be kept with other small peaceful fish of a similar size as part of an active colourful community. They are not recommended to be kept with fish which are slow moving or have log or flowing fins, they aren't really known as a fin nipper but it would be inadvisable to put temptation their way.

Feeding

Flake, micro pellets along with live or frozen blood worms, daphnia, mosquito larvae and brine shrimps will ensure a healthy and varied diet.

Sexing

Males have longer fins and more vibrant colours.

Breeding

This species has not been bred by hobbyists.

Wild status

Nothing is know about the wild population of flameback bleeding heart tetras. They may live in the entire rio negro basin but have only been reported from one location so far. These fish are commercially bred using hormones.