斯氏魮脂鲤 · Savanna Tetra

Overview

The savanna tetra (Hyphessobrycon stegemanni) is a small, peaceful schooling fish with an uninterrupted dark side stripe. Its name has often been used for a different tetra, so the stripe alone is insufficient for identification.

Distribution & habitat

It is native to the middle Tocantins and Araguaia basins in central Brazil, across parts of Maranhão, Tocantins, Pará, and Mato Grosso. Most records lie east of the Tocantins main channel between Imperatriz and Palmas; Araguaia records are scarcer.

Much of the range falls within the cerrado woodland and savanna region. Tributaries often run through gallery forest and experience pronounced wet and dry seasons. Their beds combine rock with stones, roots, branches, and fallen leaves. Dams and agricultural clearing put pressure on these river systems.

Aquarium setup

Begin with a footprint around 60 × 30 cm. Sand, roots, and branching wood provide an appropriate layout, while a densely planted aquarium is another option. Dried leaves add shelter and support microorganisms that supplement the food available to adults and fry.

Diet & feeding

Wild fish probably eat small invertebrates, crustaceans, filamentous algae, and fallen fruit. Provide suitably sized dried foods along with varied live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, mosquito larvae, and water fleas.

Behaviour & compatibility

Keep at least eight to ten of both sexes. Peaceful tetras of comparable size, small catfishes, and suitable nonpredatory cichlids are potential companions. Other calm schooling fishes can encourage a more confident display.

Sexual dimorphism

Mature females are slightly larger and noticeably deeper and fuller-bodied than males.

Notes

The dark stripe is continuous and lacks a conspicuous separate shoulder blotch. Adult males do not develop especially elongated dorsal or anal fins, and tail scales are largely confined to the base. These features help distinguish a lookalike frequently sold under this name.