Purple Tetra (Hyphessobrycon metae) Breeding Guide

Captive spawning of Hyphessobrycon metae is unreported; this guide gives sexing data from Seriously Fish plus the Hyphessobrycon egg-scattering pattern.

Overview

Hyphessobrycon metae is a small characid endemic to the middle Río Orinoco watershed in Colombia and Venezuela, recorded at 35-40 mm maximum size by Seriously Fish. Captive reproduction has not been documented: Seriously Fish lists its reproduction as 'Unreported'. The notes below therefore combine the species data that does exist with the egg-scattering pattern typical of the genus Hyphessobrycon.

Sexing

According to Seriously Fish, sexually mature females are noticeably deeper-bodied and grow slightly larger than males. This rounder, fuller body in conditioned females is the most reliable visual cue, as no other dimorphic marking is reported for the species.

Conditioning

As with related Hyphessobrycon tetras, the proven approach is to condition a maintained group on small live and frozen foods until females fill with eggs. Seriously Fish records a general care range of 20-28 C, pH 4.0-7.0 and hardness 18-143 ppm for this species, so conditioning at the soft, acidic end of that range is consistent with the published data.

Breeding Setup

Following the genus pattern documented by Seriously Fish for related Hyphessobrycon, a small dimly lit spawning tank with fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop, or a mesh base that lets eggs fall out of the adults' reach, suits egg-scattering characids. A gentle air-driven sponge filter provides oxygenation without sweeping eggs about. Species-specific spawning parameters are not on record.

Egg & Fry Care

Hyphessobrycon tetras give no parental care and readily eat their own eggs, so adults are removed once spawning ends. In the genus, eggs and early fry are light-sensitive, eggs typically hatch within roughly 24-36 hours, and fry become free-swimming a few days later, taking infusoria-grade foods before brine shrimp nauplii. These figures are genus-level expectations; no count or timing has been confirmed for H. metae itself.