Hyphessobrycon Anisitsi

Datasheet

General Description

The Buenos Aires Tetra (Hyphessobrycon Anisitsi) is a popular and robust aquarium species, known for its hardiness and striking appearance. They closely resemble the H. auca species but can be distinguished by specific dental and fin characteristics. The species belongs to the family Characidae and is classified under the order Characiformes.

Aquarium Setup

For optimal care, a well-structured aquarium with a minimum size of 80 liters is recommended for a group of 8-10 Buenos Aires Tetras. The tank should be ideally planted and not subject to strong filtration, with water parameters maintained within a temperature range of 16-26°C, a pH level between 5.5-8.5, and hardness between 18-357ppm. It is advised to offer a mix of live, frozen, and dried foods to ensure their nutritional requirements are met adequately.

Behaviour

The Buenos Aires Tetra is known for its nipping behavior towards tankmates, especially in limited space or insufficient numbers scenarios. They exhibit gregarious behavior and form loose hierarchies within their groups. Male members engage in continuous battles for female attention and hierarchy positioning. It is suggested that a minimum group size of 8-10 individuals is maintained to reduce aggression and create a more natural social display.

Feeding and Diet

As foragers, Buenos Aires Tetras primarily feed on worms, insects, zooplankton, and plant material in their natural habitat. In aquariums, they readily accept various foods, including bloodworms, Daphnia, Artemia, and high-quality flakes or granules with plant or algal content. Regular feeding and a diverse diet are key to maintaining their health and vibrant colors.

Reproduction & Dimorphism

These tetras are egg-scattering free spawners that exhibit no parental care. Successful breeding requires well-conditioned adults in a mature aquarium with a controlled setup for egg collection. Mature males display more intense coloration, a slimmer body, and remain slightly smaller than females. Spawning typically lasts 2-4 hours, with females capable of laying up to 2000 eggs, leading to the hatching of fry within 24-36 hours.

Habitat and Distribution

The Buenos Aires Tetra is widely distributed across the Paraná river system in Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, as well as the Uruguay watershed in Uruguay and Brazil. They inhabit smaller streams, tributaries, floodplain lakes, and backwaters in subtropical regions with abundant rainfall and mild winters. Sympatric occurrence with other Hyphessobrycon species is observed in certain wetland reserves like the Esteros del Iberá in Argentina.