More info
Datasheet
| Minimum Tank Size | 80 litres / 21.13 US gallons |
| Maximum Size | 4.5cm / 1.77inches |
| Temperature | 20°C / 68.00°F - 28°C / 82.40°F |
| Hardness | 1.01dgH / 18ppm - 12.05dgH / 215ppm |
| pH | 5.0-7.5 |
Behaviour:
The Ornate Tetra is described as very peaceful, making it a suitable addition to a community aquarium. It is recommended to house them with similarly-sized characids, gasteropelecids, lebiasinids, smaller callichthyid or loricariid catfish, and non-predatory small-to-medium-sized cichlids. Maintaining a mixed-sex group of 8-10 individuals is advisable, as this species forms temporary dominance hierarchies where males compete for female attention, leading to more engaging behavior and vibrant coloration in larger numbers.
Feeding and Diet:
The Ornate Tetra is likely omnivorous, feeding on small invertebrates, crustaceans, filamentous algae, fallen fruit, and similar items in its natural habitat. In captivity, they can survive on dried foods but thrive when offered a varied diet that includes live and frozen chironomid larvae (bloodworm), mosquito larvae, Daphnia, and Moina, among others.
Reproduction & Dimorphism:
An egg-scattering free spawner, the Ornate Tetra exhibits no parental care. When conditioning adult fish for breeding, a separate, dimly lit aquarium with appropriate substrate for egg collection should be set up. Water conditions should be slightly acidic to neutral with a temperature towards the upper end of their preferred range. Adult males are typically less deep-bodied, slightly smaller, and display more intense coloring than females, especially in the dorsal and anal fins.
Habitat and Distribution:
In the wild, the Ornate Tetra is mostly found in sluggish tributaries, side arms, and forest lakes, often associating with submerged woody structures like roots, fallen branches, and overhanging riparian vegetation, thriving in water with low mineral content and a brownish tint from decaying plant matter. The species' type locality is the Amazon River at Obidos, Para, Brazil, situated in the lower Amazon basin.
Aquarium Setup:
For optimal maintenance of the Ornate Tetra, it is recommended to provide a well-furnished aquarium with live plants and a dark substrate, creating a natural environment with wood roots, branches, and plenty of shaded spots. The addition of dried leaf litter can further enhance the setup, promoting the growth of beneficial microbe colonies and providing a secondary food source for fry. This species prefers dim lighting and floating vegetation, necessitating clean water conditions through regular water changes to mimic its natural habitat.
General Description:
The Ornate Tetra, scientifically known as Hyphessobrycon Bentosi, belongs to the Characidae family under the Characiformes order. It can grow up to 4.5cm in size and requires a minimum tank size of 80 liters. This species has historically been part of the 'Hyphessobrycon bentosi' subgroup within the H. callistus group and is distinguished by its red humeral spot and other characteristic morphometric features.