Columbian Tetra

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Scientific Name

Hyphessobrycon columbianus

Min. Tank Size

25 gallons

Personality

Peaceful

Temperature

74-84°F

pH

5.0-7.0/1-12°dGH

Size

2.5"

Diet

Omnivore

Breeding

Egglayer

Compatibility

Best kept in shoals with 6 or more of their own species; can be kept with other Tetras, Rainbowfish, Rasboras, Barbs, Danios, Corydoras and Loaches.

Columbian Tetra

Also called the Blue-Red Columbian Tetra, this species is named for its coloration. These fish tend to have silver-gray bodies with a somewhat blue-ish tinge that increases in intensity to form a stripe across the dorsal ridge. The fins of these fish are typicaly deep red and the anal fin is often tipped in black while the dorsal and caudals fins have white edges. Columbian Tetras are native to the Rio Acandi area in Columbia. These fish can often be found in the slow-moving creeks, backwaters and tributaries of the drainage system in this area.

Tank Set-Up

Columbian Tetras are highly adaptable and are likely to do well in a variety of tank setups. These fish show well in densely planted tanks but can also be kept in Amazon biotype setups with sand substrate and driftwood branches. Like many Tetras, Columbian Tetras tend to nip at the fins of other fish but this behavior can be contained by keeping them in shoals containing at least 6 other members. These fish may intimidate more sedate species of fish but can safely be kept with active species like other Tetras, Barbs and Rasboras.

Feeding

Columbian Tetras are not picky eaters and will accept most commercially available foods. A varied diet should consist of a quality flake food along with live and or frozen foods such as bloodworms and brine shrimp. Feeding a variety of foods will help bring out the color, as well as maintain the health, of this beautiful fish.

Breeding

Breeding Columbian Tetras is similar to breeding other species in the same genus. This species can be spawned in either groups or pairs after being conditioned on small live foods. The breeding tank should be kept at a temperature between 80 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH around 5.5 or 6.5. Because these fish show no parental care, the adults should be removed from the tank after spawning.