后鳍魮脂鲤 · Purple Tetra

Overview

Purple tetras (Hyphessobrycon metae) are peaceful schooling fishes whose strongest dark band is concentrated on the caudal peduncle rather than the entire lower flank. Misidentifications in the trade make the tail pattern particularly useful to examine.

Distribution & habitat

The native range is the middle Orinoco watershed of Colombia and Venezuela. Many records come from the Meta and its tributaries, with additional localities between the Ventuari and Apure systems.

Habitats range from clear, sandy, heavily vegetated palm wetland channels in Los Llanos to rainforest blackwater streams and still floodplain lakes. Seasonal flooding reshapes these environments. Connected lagoons can have slower flow, more leaf litter, and greater zooplankton densities than the main river.

Aquarium setup

Start with a footprint around 80 × 30 cm. Sand with branching wood and roots, or a densely planted layout, provides suitable structure. Dried leaves supply additional shelter and support microorganisms used as supplementary food by adults and fry.

Diet & feeding

Wild fish probably eat a mixture of small invertebrates, crustaceans, algae, and fallen fruit. Use dried foods as part of a varied menu, rotating suitably small live or frozen items such as bloodworms, mosquito larvae, and water fleas.

Behaviour & compatibility

Maintain a mixed-sex group of at least eight to ten. Peaceful tetras of comparable size, small catfishes, and appropriate nonpredatory cichlids are suitable companions. Other calm schooling fishes may help the group feel secure.

Sexual dimorphism

Mature females become slightly larger and visibly deeper and fuller in body than males.

Notes

The dark peduncle marking reaches the bases of the central tail rays, while each tail lobe has a yellow to orange patch near its base. The pale lateral stripe varies in hue and intensity between localities; color-based trade names alone cannot establish identity.