异纹魮脂鲤 · Flag Tetra

Overview

The flag tetra (Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus) is a small, peaceful schooling fish with a conspicuous side stripe connected to its shoulder marking. Its name has often been applied to similar species, making reliable identification important.

Distribution & habitat

The actual range may be confined to tributaries and coastal systems of Pará and Maranhão in eastern Brazil, with the Tapajós forming its upstream limit. Older reports from a much larger part of Amazonia, Colombia, and the Guianas include records requiring reassessment.

It primarily inhabits shaded forest streams, including headwaters on land beyond the seasonal floodplain. Water is often clear, while sand or mud, roots, fallen branches, and leaves dominate the bottom. Aquatic vegetation can be sparse.

Aquarium setup

A footprint around 80 × 30 cm is appropriate as a starting point. Arrange sand, roots, and branches to provide cover, or use a well-planted layout. Leaf litter adds shelter and supports microorganisms that can supplement the food available to fry.

Diet & feeding

Wild fish probably take a mixture of small invertebrates, crustaceans, algae, and fallen fruit. Offer varied aquarium meals rather than relying entirely on dry food, including small live or frozen items such as bloodworms and water fleas.

Behaviour & compatibility

Maintain at least eight to ten of both sexes with peaceful companions of comparable size. Small catfishes and suitable nonpredatory cichlids are possible neighbors. Other calm schooling fishes can also encourage a less hesitant display.

Sexual dimorphism

Adult females tend to be slightly larger, deeper-bodied, and rounder than males.

Breeding

These tetras scatter eggs and provide no care. A few fry may survive in an established aquarium; a separate breeding tank improves the prospects of raising more. Keep it dim, fill it with mature water, provide gentle aeration, and protect eggs with mesh, marbles, fine plants, or spawning mops.

Use slightly acidic to neutral water toward the warmer end of the suitable temperature range. Introduce a conditioned pair or one or two males with several females. Eggs are often detectable the next morning. Feed infusoria or sufficiently fine prepared food initially, progressing to brine shrimp nauplii and microworms when they are small enough to swallow.

Notes

Identification combines the connected shoulder mark and dark stripe with red coloration above the stripe and on the eye, and the absence of certain yellow-orange fin markings found in lookalikes. A trade name alone is unreliable.