Ornate Tetra Breeding Guide

How to breed the Ornate Tetra (Hyphessobrycon bentosi), an egg-scattering free spawner that produces eggs overnight in dim, soft water.

Overview

The Ornate Tetra, Hyphessobrycon bentosi, is a characin of the lower Amazon basin; its type locality is the Amazon River at Óbidos, Pará, Brazil. It reaches a maximum standard length of 40-45 mm and is an egg-scattering free spawner exhibiting no parental care.

Sexing

Males are less deep-bodied, slightly smaller and more intensely coloured than females, particularly in the dorsal and anal fins.

Conditioning

Groups can be conditioned together. A single pair, or a group of one or two males with several females, is then introduced to the spawning container.

Breeding Setup

Use a very dimly lit spawning tank fitted with a fine-leaved plant such as Taxiphyllum spp. or spawning mops, or a mesh that lets eggs fall through while keeping adults away from them. Provide gentle aeration from an air-powered sponge filter or air stones, slightly acidic to neutral pH and a temperature towards the upper part of the 20-28 °C range.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Spawning typically results in eggs being found the following morning. The species gives no parental care.

Egg & Fry Care

Adults should be removed after spawning. First foods are Paramecium or a proprietary dry food in the 5-50 micron grade, progressing to Artemia nauplii and microworm as the fry grow.