本氏魮脂鲤 · Ornate Tetra

Overview

Ornate tetras (Megalamphodus bentosi) are peaceful schooling fishes suited to clean, shaded aquariums with plenty of cover. Several similar species can be confused with them, and names referring to white fin tips do not establish identity.

Distribution & habitat

The type locality lies at Óbidos in Pará, Brazil, on the lower Amazon between the Trombetas and Tapajós river mouths. Typical habitats include sluggish tributaries, side channels, and forest lakes, with the fish gathering around roots, fallen branches, riverside vegetation, or aquatic plants.

The water is usually brown from decomposing plant material, low in dissolved minerals, and weakly buffered.

Aquarium setup

Provide a footprint of about 90 × 30 cm or larger. Dark substrate, living plants, and abundant cover encourage good coloration. Soft sand with roots and branches can create numerous shaded retreats, supplemented by floating plants under subdued lighting.

Leaves offer shelter and support microorganisms useful to fry; they can be allowed to break down or replaced as maintenance requires. Avoid organic waste accumulation. Use an aquarium with established biological filtration and make weekly water changes routine.

Diet & feeding

Their wild diet probably combines small invertebrates, crustaceans, algae, and fallen fruit. Supplement dried foods with varied, appropriately sized live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, mosquito larvae, and water fleas.

Behaviour & compatibility

Keep at least eight to ten of both sexes. Males establish temporary dominance relationships and display while competing for females, so a substantial group produces more natural behavior. Suitable neighbors include peaceful tetras of comparable size, small catfishes, and appropriate nonpredatory cichlids.

Sexual dimorphism

Adult males tend to be slightly smaller and slimmer, with stronger coloration in the dorsal and anal fins. Females are deeper and fuller-bodied.

Breeding

Eggs are scattered without parental care. A few fry may survive in a mature tank. For controlled breeding, use a separate dim setup with established water, gentle aeration, and mesh, marbles, fine plants, or spawning mops that protect eggs.

Use slightly acidic to neutral water toward the warmer end of the suitable range. Introduce a conditioned pair or one or two males with several females, checking for eggs the next morning. Begin fry on infusoria or very fine prepared food, moving to brine shrimp nauplii and microworms as they grow.

Notes

Historical groupings of rosy-colored tetras rely partly on color and fin shape and cannot replace species identification. Different species may share a trade label.