Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Characiformes |
Family: | Characidae |
Genus: | Hyphessobrycon |
Species: | H. heterorhabdus |
Binomial name | |
Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus (Ulrey, 1894) | |
Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus, commonly known as the flag tetra or Belgian flag tetra, is a species of freshwater characin fish endemic to Brazil. Belonging to the family Characidae, this species is distinguished by its vibrant coloration and patterns, which have contributed to its popularity in the aquarium trade. [2]
The Flag Tetra, Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus, exhibits a distinctively elongated and laterally compressed body shape, characteristic of many species within the characin family. One of its most striking features is its vividly red-colored eyes, which contrast sharply with its overall body coloration. Along its lateral line, the fish displays a prominent stripe that integrates black, red, and yellow lines. This unique color pattern bears a resemblance to the national flag of Belgium, from which the common names 'Flag Tetra' and 'Belgian Flag Tetra' are derived. [3]
The coloration of this species not only serves an aesthetic purpose in aquarium settings but also plays a role in intra-species communication and camouflage in its natural habitat. The stripe pattern can vary slightly among individuals, reflecting factors such as age, health, and environmental conditions. These adaptive features illustrate the fish's evolutionary responses to its surroundings and social interactions within schools. [4]
The Flag Tetra (Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus) is indigenous to the freshwater ecosystems of Brazil, primarily found in the Amazon Basin. This species favors environments that offer a combination of clear and blackwater conditions, indicative of waters that are either transparent or tea-colored due to dissolved organic materials. The preferred habitats are typically characterized by a slow to moderate flow, often within smaller streams, creeks, and tributaries that are shaded by the dense canopy of the rainforest.
These shaded, forested waterways provide a multitude of hiding places and breeding grounds, crucial for the survival and reproduction of the Flag Tetra. The dense vegetation and submerged woody debris found in these habitats not only offer protection from predators but also house a diverse array of microorganisms and invertebrates that form the diet of this species. The water chemistry of their natural habitat tends to be slightly acidic to neutral, with a soft to moderately hard composition, reflecting the decomposing organic matter present in these environments. [5]
The diet of Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus predominantly consists of small invertebrates and plant matter. In their natural habitat within the Amazon Basin, these fish adapt to a varied diet that includes micro-crustaceans, worms, small insects, and detritus, reflecting the rich biodiversity of their ecosystem. The availability of such food sources is abundant in the slow-moving streams and creeks where they reside, often beneath the dense canopy of the rainforest which contributes to the proliferation of a diverse microfauna. [2]
In addition to animal-based nutrients, Flag Tetras also graze on algae and other plant materials found on submerged surfaces, such as rocks and driftwood. This omnivorous diet is crucial for their growth and overall health, providing a balanced intake of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. [5]
Breeding Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus in captivity involves creating conditions that mimic their natural habitat, particularly the rainy season of the Amazon Basin. A dedicated breeding tank with soft, acidic water (pH 6.0 to 6.5), a temperature of around 24°C (75°F), dim lighting, and fine-leaved plants or spawning mops can encourage spawning. [6] Flag Tetras, being egg scatterers without parental instincts, may consume their eggs, necessitating the removal of adults post-spawning or the use of a mesh bottom or marbles to protect the eggs. The eggs usually hatch within 24 to 36 hours, with fry initially fed on infusoria or liquid fry food until they can eat micro worms or baby brine shrimp. Attention to water quality and a gradual introduction to the adult diet are critical for the fry's growth and health. This process not only enables the conservation of the species but also allows aquarists to observe the lifecycle of these vibrant fish.
Flag Tetra, like many aquarium fish, are susceptible to a range of common diseases, particularly when kept in suboptimal water conditions or overcrowded tanks. One prevalent condition is Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, commonly known as "Ich" or white spot disease, characterized by white, salt-like spots on the fish's body and gills, often leading to increased irritability and rubbing against tank surfaces. Another common ailment is fin rot, a bacterial infection that causes the edges of the fins to appear frayed or disintegrated, often resulting from poor water quality or stress. [5]
The neon tetra is a freshwater fish of the characin family of order Characiformes. The type species of its genus, it is native to blackwater and clearwater streams in the Amazon basin of South America. Its bright colouring makes the fish visible to conspecifics in the dark blackwater streams, and is also the main reason for its popularity among freshwater fish hobbyists, with neon tetras being one of the most widely kept tropical fish in the world.
The black tetra, also known as the black skirt tetra, petticoat tetra, high-fin black skirt tetra, black widow tetra and blackamoor, is a freshwater fish of the characin family (Characidae).
The cardinal tetra is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae of order Characiformes. It is native to the upper Orinoco and Negro Rivers in South America. Growing to about 3 cm (1.2 in) total length, the cardinal tetra has the striking iridescent blue line characteristic of the genus Paracheirodon laterally bisecting the fish, with the body below this line being vivid red in color, hence the name "cardinal tetra". The cardinal tetra's appearance is similar to that of the closely related neon tetra, with which it is often confused; the neon's red coloration extends only about halfway to the nose, and the neon's blue stripe is a less vibrant blue.
The green neon tetra is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae of order Characiformes. It is native to the upper Orinoco and Negro Rivers in South America.
The black neon tetra is a freshwater fish of the characin family (Characidae) of the order Characiformes. It is native to the Paraguay basin of southern Brazil. They are often found in the aquarium trade.
The black phantom tetra, or simply phantom tetra, is a small freshwater fish of the characin family (Characidae) of order Characiformes. It is native to the upper Paraguay basin and upper Madeira basin in Brazil and Bolivia. It is commonly seen in the aquarium trade.
Hyphessobrycon is a genus of freshwater fish in the family Characidae. These species are among the fishes known as tetras. The genus is distributed in the Neotropical realm from southern Mexico to Río de la Plata in Argentina. Many of these species are native to South America; about six species are from Central America and a single species, H. compressus is from southern Mexico.
The serpae tetra, also known as the red minor tetra, jewel tetra or callistus tetra, is a species of tetra, a tropical freshwater fish of the characin family of order Characiformes. It is native to the Amazon River drainage in Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, Bolivia and northern Argentina. The fish can be found in slow moving or still backwater including, ponds, small lakes, and streams. In the wild, it forms aggregations around vegetation and tree roots, and thrives when the water temperature is 22–27 °C (72–81 °F).
The dwarf corydoras, dwarf catfish, tail spot pygmy catfish, or micro catfish is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the subfamily Corydoradinae of the family Callichthyidae. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the Amazon River and Paraguay River basins in Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil. The specific epithet hastatus means with a spear, in reference to the spearhead-like spot on the tail root.
The bucktooth tetra is the only member of the genus Exodon and is a freshwater fish of the characin family of order Characiformes. It is native to the Amazon Basin and Guyana. Though first described in 1845, it was not imported and distributed by the aquarium trade until 1932.
The lemon tetra is a species of tropical freshwater fish which originates from South America, belonging to the family Characidae. It is a small tetra growing to 5 cm (2 in) in length. The species is a long established favourite aquarium fish, being introduced to the aquarium in 1932.
The rummy-nose tetra is a species of tropical freshwater characin fish originating in South America, popular among fishkeepers as a tropical aquarium fish. One of many small tetras belonging to the same genus, it is on average 5 cm (2 in) long when fully grown. The fish is one of several very similar species including Petitella bleheri, and Petitella georgiae, and it is possible that more recently collected specimens available in the aquarium trade are members of one or other of these similar species. The common name applied to most of these fishes is "rummy-nose tetra", though other common names are in circulation.
The Buenos Aires tetra is a tropical fish from South America. It was first observed in the wild in 1907, by Carl H. Eigenmann.
Hemigrammus erythrozonus, commonly known as the glowlight tetra, is a small tropical fish from the Essequibo River, Guyana, South America. It is silver in colour and a bright iridescent orange to red stripe extends from the snout to the base of its tail, the front of the dorsal fin being the same color as the stripe. Other fins are silver to transparent. The glowlight tetra is a peaceful, shoaling fish. It is larger than the neon tetra, and its peaceful disposition makes it an ideal, and popular, community tank fish. It should be kept with similar sized, non-aggressive species. Hemigrammus gracilis is a senior synonym. The red-line rasbora of Malaysia and Indonesia has markings and coloring very similar to H. erythrozonus, but is a member of family Cyprinidae, not a close relative.
The diamond tetra is a small freshwater fish of the characin family of order Characiformes. It is found in and around Lake Valencia in Venezuela, South America.
The flame tetra, also known as the red tetra or Rio tetra, is a small freshwater fish of the characin family Characidae. This tetra was first introduced as aquarium fish in 1920 by C. Bruening, Hamburg, Germany, and formally described in 1924 by Dr. George S. Myers. Today large numbers are bred in captivity and it is common in the aquarium trade, but the remaining wild population in Southeast Brazil is highly threatened.
The redeye tetra, is a species of tetra from the São Francisco, upper Paraná, Paraguay and Uruguay river basins in eastern and central South America. This freshwater fish is commonly kept in aquariums and bred in large numbers at commercial facilities in Eastern Europe and Asia. The redeye tetra is one of the more popular aquarium fish due to their schooling capability.
Laetacara curviceps, the Flag acara, Dwarf flag cichlid, is a species of cichlid that lives in slow-moving rivers and streams as well as ponds and lakes of the Amazon Basin. This species can reach a total length of 10 cm (4 in).
The ember tetra is a freshwater fish of the characin family of order Characiformes. It is native to the Araguaia River basin of Brazil and was discovered in 1987 and named in honor of the fish explorer Heiko Bleher's mother.
Boehlkea fredcochui, also known as the Cochu's blue tetra is a species of characin. Its natural range is in the Amazon Basin. It is commonly kept as an aquarium fish.