Kitty Tetra Care Guide
Hyphessobrycon heliacus (Kitty Tetra) is a tiny peaceful characin from the Teles Pires River in the upper Tapajos basin of Brazil, kept in soft acidic water.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Hyphessobrycon heliacus, the Kitty Tetra, is a tiny characin of the family Characidae. The body displays golden coloration with distinctive transverse chevron-shaped bars along the horizontal midline, and mature males have elongated, filamentous dorsal and pelvic fins.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae
- Genus: Hyphessobrycon
- Scientific name: Hyphessobrycon heliacus
Habitat
According to FishBase the species is found in the Teles Pires River in the upper Tapajos basin, Brazil. It was collected only in lentic marginal portions of the stream, over muddy bottom with plenty of submersed vegetation, at depths of 0-2 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 40 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.0
- GH: 1-8 °dGH
- School size: 8 or more individuals
- Adult size: up to about 2.8 cm SL
- Lifespan: about 3-5 years
Soft, acidic water with subdued lighting and planted cover suits this very small species.
Diet
It is an omnivore. In the aquarium small dried, live and frozen foods are appropriate, offered twice daily.
Compatibility
A peaceful, small schooling fish best kept with other gentle nano species. Apistogramma, pencilfish and pygmy corydoras make good companions, while aggressive species should be avoided.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed in 2018.
Kitty Tetra Breeding Guide
Overview
The Kitty Tetra, Hyphessobrycon heliacus, is a small golden characin from the Teles Pires River in the upper Tapajós basin, in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. It reaches a standard length of about 2.8 cm (total length to roughly 3.5 cm) and was collected in lentic marginal portions of the stream over a muddy bottom with abundant submerged vegetation. It is an egg-scatterer.
Sexing
Males have longer, thread-like fins, especially the dorsal, anal and ventral fins, and are more brightly coloured than females. The anal fin of an adult male lacks a distinct point, whereas females and young fish retain one.
Breeding Setup
As an egg-scatterer, the species is spawned in a separate, dimly lit tank with fine-leaved plants or spawning mops, or a mesh base, so eggs fall away from the adults. General maintenance conditions are 23-28 °C, pH 5.5-7.0 and GH 8-15; spawning-specific values were not recorded in the consulted sources.
Egg & Fry Care
Adults should be removed after spawning to protect the eggs. Detailed hatch times and fry-rearing data specific to this species were not documented; small-tetra fry are typically started on infusoria-grade foods before brine shrimp nauplii.