Compressed Tetra Breeding Guide

Breeding notes for the Compressed Tetra (Hyphessobrycon compressus), a Central American egg-scatterer bred by the genus method.

Overview

The Compressed Tetra, Hyphessobrycon compressus, is a relatively deep-bodied characin known from southern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. It reaches a maximum standard length of 40-45 mm.

Sexing

Nuptial adult males apparently develop a much darker colour pattern than females, which can help identify spawning-ready fish.

Breeding Setup

Hyphessobrycon are spawned in a separate, dimly lit tank with fine-leaved plants or spawning mops, or a mesh base, so eggs drop away from the adults. As a more hard-water-tolerant Central American species, it does not require the very soft, acidic water of its Amazonian relatives.

Egg & Fry Care

As an egg-scatterer with no parental care, the adults should be removed after spawning. Small-tetra fry are reared on infusoria-grade foods, progressing to brine shrimp nauplii. Species-specific hatch times were not recorded in the consulted sources.