Bleeding heart tetra

Bleeding heart tetra
	Male
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Characiformes
Family:	Characidae
Genus:	Hyphessobrycon
Species:	H. erythrostigma
Binomial name
	Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma; (Fowler, 1943)

The bleeding heart tetra (Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma) is a freshwater tropical fish native to the Upper Amazon River basin.^[2]^[3] It grows to the size of 2.5 in (64 mm) and lives for around five years.

Sexing

The female is more full bodied and the male has a larger dorsal fin, whereas the male is distinguished by longer extended dorsal and anal fins. The dorsal fin is elongated into a sickle shape that arches to the length of the tail base. The female has a shorter rounded fin.

Breeding in captivity

This egg-laying fish has been bred successfully, with difficulty, in captivity.^[2]

Appearance

The dorsal fin and anal fin of the males can become long and flowing.^[2] Both sexes have the eye-catching blood-red spot in the pectoral area. Both also have the black and white patch on the dorsal fin.

Aquarium care

A group of 6 fishes will feel comfortable in a 15-gallon tank, but a bigger tank (preferably 30 gallons) and more fishes are recommended.

According to the Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, it prefers water of 23–28 °C (73–82 °F) that is soft (50–100 mg/L) and acidic (pH 5.6-6.9), and a diet of prepared foods and small live foods.^[2] It is recommended that peat be added to the filter to help keep the water conditions suitable for it.^[2]

References

^ Lima, F. (2023). "Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2023: e.T49830743A159677373. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T49830743A159677373.en. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Alderton, David (2019). Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish (3rd ed.). United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley Limited. p. 98. ISBN 978-0-2413-6424-6.
^ Moreau, Marie-Annick; Coomes, Oliver T. (March 2007). "Aquarium fish exploitation in western Amazonia: conservation issues in Peru". Environmental Conservation. 34 (1): 12–22. Bibcode:2007EnvCo..34...12M. doi:10.1017/S0376892907003566. ISSN 0376-8929. S2CID 86621995.

[1] Lima, F. (2023). "Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2023: e.T49830743A159677373. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T49830743A159677373.en. Retrieved 27 December 2023.

[:0-2] Alderton, David (2019). Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish (3rd ed.). United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley Limited. p. 98. ISBN 978-0-2413-6424-6.

[3] Moreau, Marie-Annick; Coomes, Oliver T. (March 2007). "Aquarium fish exploitation in western Amazonia: conservation issues in Peru". Environmental Conservation. 34 (1): 12–22. Bibcode:2007EnvCo..34...12M. doi:10.1017/S0376892907003566. ISSN 0376-8929. S2CID 86621995.

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