Hyphessobrycon eschwartzae

Overview

A small laterally striped tetra, Hyphessobrycon eschwartzae has a shoulder blotch joining the dark flank stripe, a red stripe above, and red in the upper eye. Continuity of the dark marking toward the tail base helps distinguish some similar-looking forms.

Distribution & habitat

Known records are confined to the Madre de Dios watershed in southeastern Peru, including Tambopata National Reserve and sites north of Puerto Maldonado.

Sexual dimorphism

Males carry paired bony hooks on portions of the anal-fin rays, whereas females lack them. Females may also be heavier-bodied, but this is less certain than the hook difference.

Notes

There is one shoulder blotch, and the dark flank stripe continues toward the caudal peduncle rather than fading as strongly as in some similar species. Red and black stripes alone are insufficient for complete identification; fin, scale, and tooth characters also matter.