Calypso Tetra Care Guide
Hyphessobrycon axelrodi is a small characin endemic to Trinidad, found in fresh and brackish swamp-edge waters and kept as a peaceful schooling tetra.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Hyphessobrycon axelrodi, the Calypso tetra, is a small characin endemic to the island of Trinidad. The species was named after Herbert R. Axelrod, who collected the type specimen. It is kept in the aquarium trade as a peaceful, schooling tetra.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae (FishBase places the species in Acestrorhamphidae, order Characiformes)
- Genus: Hyphessobrycon
- Scientific name: Hyphessobrycon axelrodi
Habitat
The species is endemic to Trinidad, where it occurs at low elevations in clear to slightly turbid standing water, around swamp edges. According to FishBase it is found frequently in brackish water as well as fresh water.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet
The Calypso tetra is an omnivore. In the aquarium it accepts small dried, frozen and live foods; feeding twice daily in modest amounts suits its small size.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful mid-water schooler. Suitable companions include other small, calm community fish such as Cardinal tetras, Corydoras and hatchetfish. Persistent fin-nippers should be avoided.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened (assessed 2020).
Calypso Tetra Breeding Guide
Overview
The Calypso Tetra, Hyphessobrycon axelrodi, is a small characin from Trinidad, where it inhabits clear to slightly turbid standing water at low elevations and along the edges of swamps. It reaches a maximum standard length of about 2.2 cm (aquarium specimens to about 4.0 cm total length). FishBase lists its preferred conditions as pH 5.5-6.0 and 22-23 °C, and assesses it as Near Threatened (NT).
Breeding Setup
Small Hyphessobrycon are spawned in a separate, dimly lit tank with fine-leaved plants or spawning mops, or a mesh base, so that scattered eggs fall away from the adults. Soft, acidic water consistent with the species' reported pH 5.5-6.0 and around 22-23 °C is appropriate.
Egg & Fry Care
As an egg-scatterer with no parental care, the adults should be removed after spawning to protect the eggs. Small-tetra fry are reared on infusoria-grade foods before brine shrimp nauplii and microworm. Species-specific hatch times were not recorded in the consulted sources.