Description
Colombian Tetra (Hyphessobrycon columbianus)
Overview
Hyphessobrycon columbianus, commonly known as the Colombian Tetra or Red-Blue Colombian Tetra, is a vibrant freshwater fish native to the Acandí River basin in northwestern Colombia, near the Panama border. This species, described in 2002 by Zarske and Géry, is prized for its striking iridescent blue body with vivid red fins, making it a standout in community aquariums. A peaceful, schooling fish, it is suitable for aquarists with some experience due to its specific water quality needs and occasional fin-nipping Behaviour.
Care Requirements
Tank Size:
Minimum 75 liters for a school of 6–8 fish; 100 litres or larger recommended for larger groups to support their active swimming and schooling behaviour.
Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 22–28°C; 24–26°C optimal for breeding
- pH: 6.0–7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Hardness: 2–15 dGH (soft to moderately hard water)
- Requires clean water with nitrate levels below 50 mg/L to maintain health.
Aquarium Setup:
- Substrate: Fine gravel or sand, preferably dark, to enhance their colouration and support plant growth.
- Decor: Heavily planted with fine-leaved plants (e.g., Java moss, Cabomba) and floating plants (e.g., Salvinia) to mimic their natural, vegetation-rich habitat. Include driftwood and dried leaves (e.g., oak, Indian almond) to release tannins for a blackwater effect.
- Filtration: Gentle filtration (e.g., sponge or low-flow canister filter) with a turnover of 4–5 times the tank volume per hour (e.g., 150 GPH for a 30-gallon tank). Avoid strong currents.
- Lighting: Dim lighting to replicate their shaded natural environment and enhance colours. Avoid bright lights to prevent stress.
- Cover: A secure lid is advised, as they may jump when startled.
Maintenance
- Water Changes: Perform 20–30% water changes weekly or 25% biweekly using dechlorinated water to remove chlorine and chloramine and maintain low nitrate levels.
- Tank Cleaning: Lightly vacuum substrate to remove debris while preserving some organic matter for a natural feel. Clean glass and decorations sparingly to maintain the tank’s ecosystem.
- Equipment Checks: Regularly inspect filters, heaters, and thermometers to ensure stable conditions. Test water parameters weekly for pH, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates.
- Monitoring: Watch for signs of stress (e.g., faded colours, erratic swimming) or diseases like ich or bacterial infections, to which they are occasionally susceptible. Quarantine new fish to prevent disease spread.
Diet
- Primary Food: Omnivorous, with a preference for small foods. They feed on worms, insects, zooplankton, plant material, and detritus in the wild.
- Recommended Foods:
- High-quality flake foods or micro-pellets as a staple diet.
- Live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, and mosquito larvae to enhance colouration and health.
- Vegetable-based foods (e.g., spirulina flakes, blanched cucumber) for dietary variety.
- Feeding Frequency: Feed small portions 1–2 times daily, ensuring food is consumed within 3–5 minutes to avoid overfeeding and water pollution.
Behaviour and Compatibility
Behaviour:
Peaceful but active schooling fish that thrive in groups of 6–8 or more, which reduces stress and minimizes fin-nipping tendencies. They are energetic swimmers, primarily occupying the middle and top tank levels, and may occasionally display mild aggression, such as fin-nipping, especially toward smaller or long-finned fish.
Compatibility:
- Compatible Tankmates: Peaceful, similarly sized fish like other tetras (e.g., Neon Tetras, Black Neon Tetras), rasboras, danios, Corydoras, Otocinclus, dwarf cichlids (e.g., Apistogramma), and pencil fish. Fast-moving fish are less likely to be nipped.
- Incompatible Tankmates: Avoid slow-moving, long-finned fish (e.g., guppies, bettas) or delicate species, as they may be targeted for fin-nipping. Large, aggressive, or predatory fish (e.g., cichlids) and large crustaceans should also be avoided.
- Note: Keeping them in larger schools and well-planted tanks with hiding spots reduces aggression. Avoid mixing with similar-looking tetra species to prevent hybridization.
Breeding Behaviour
Breeding in Captivity: Relatively straightforward with proper setup, though fry survival is challenging due to parental egg predation. They often spawn in community tanks, but a dedicated breeding tank improves success.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Either come in store to view available stock or request pictures to be sent to you.
Please Note: Due to variations within species resulting from age, region, sex, etc., the actual livestock may not look identical to the image. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimens.
