Colombian Red Fin Tetra (Hyphessobrycon columbianus) Breeding Guide

Hyphessobrycon columbianus is an egg-scattering free spawner with no parental care; a well-conditioned female can lay up to 2000 eggs that hatch in 24-36 hours.

Overview

Hyphessobrycon columbianus, the Colombian tetra, originates from the Río Acandí in Chocó Department, northern Colombia, and reaches 50-65 mm. Seriously Fish describes it as an egg-scattering free spawner exhibiting no parental care, and documents a complete spawning protocol that makes it a realistic project for an aquarist with a dedicated tank.

Sexing

Mature females are rounder and fuller in the body when carrying eggs, while males are slimmer. Selecting a plump, well-conditioned female and a strongly coloured male is the basis of pair selection.

Conditioning

Per Seriously Fish, adults can be conditioned together in the main aquarium while the spawning tank is prepared in parallel. Feeding live and frozen foods brings females into full breeding condition. General care parameters are temperature 20-28 C, pH 5.0-7.5 and hardness 18-179 ppm.

Breeding Setup

Use a very dimly lit tank. The base can be a mesh grid, plastic grass matting or a layer of glass marbles so eggs fall out of reach; fine-leaved plants such as Taxiphyllum or spawning mops serve the same purpose. An air-powered sponge filter or air stone provides gentle oxygenation. Spawning water should be slightly acidic to neutral.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Seriously Fish recommends introducing a single pair, or a group of one or two males with several females, and leaving them until eggs appear, which is typically the next morning. Spawning normally lasts 2-4 hours, and a well-conditioned mature female may lay as many as 2000 eggs.

Egg & Fry Care

Eggs normally hatch in 24-36 hours and the larvae carry attached yolk sacs. Initial foods are Paramecium or proprietary 5-50 micron dry foods, after which fry progress to Artemia nauplii and microworms. As the species shows no parental care, adults should be removed to protect the spawn.