Flame Tetra (Hyphessobrycon flammeus)

Did you know the Flame Tetra, a tiny fish, is in danger? This vibrant tropical fish is endangered in Southeast Brazil¹. As an aquarium lover, I find it amazing how this small fish has become popular in fish keeping.

The Flame Tetra, known as Hyphessobrycon flammeus, has been a hit since 1920. Found in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, they live in shallow, slow rivers and streams with lots of plants¹. Their bright red color and calm nature make them a favorite among fish fans.

Wild Flame Tetras are fewer because of habitat loss, pollution, and new species¹. But, many are bred in captivity, including golden, orange, and albino types¹. This keeps them available in the aquarium trade, even as their homes struggle.

In tanks, Flame Tetras do well in 20-26°C water with a pH of 5.5-7.5². They are omnivores and like to be in groups, making them great for community tanks¹². Their easy-going nature and unique look make them a top pick for fish keepers at all levels.

Key Takeaways

• Flame Tetras are endangered in the wild but are bred in large numbers in captivity
• They come from Southeast Brazil and like slow, plant-filled waters
• These small fish grow to about 2.5 cm long
• They are peaceful and do well in community tanks
• They prefer water temperatures of 20-26°C with a pH of 5.5-7.5
• There are special versions like golden, orange, and albino Flame Tetras

Introduction to the Flame Tetra

I’m excited to introduce you to the Flame Tetra, a stunning south american tetra loved by many aquarium fans. This fish, discovered in 1924, is part of the Characidae family. It’s known for its bright look³.

Scientific Classification

The Flame Tetra is scientifically named Hyphessobrycon flammeus. It belongs to the Characiformes order and the Characidae family. This family includes many popular aquarium fish³. Let’s explore its classification:

Common Names and Variants

This characidae species has many names, like Red Tetra, Rio Tetra, or Von Rio Tetra. There are also selectively bred colors like golden, orange, and albino, which aren’t wild types³.

Origin and Natural Habitat

The Flame Tetra comes from Brazil’s coastal areas, like Guanabara bay and the Guandu River basins⁴. They live in shallow, slow waters with lots of plants³. They do best in freshwater with certain conditions: pH 5.5 to 7.5 and temperatures 72 to 82°F (22 to 27°C)³⁴.

The Flame Tetra’s bright colors shine in a well-planted aquarium that feels like their home.

Learning about the breeding of neon tetras, their relatives, can help with Flame Tetras. These tips can make breeding Flame Tetras easier.

Physical Characteristics of Flame Tetra

The flame tetra’s look is truly captivating. They have an elongated body that looks sleek. Their vibrant colors make them look like a flickering flame.

Their unique color pattern is amazing. Their heads glow with golden yellow, and their upper body shines in rich orange. Dark vertical bars run down their sides for contrast. The lower body, from spine to pelvic fins, blazes with intense fire-red, earning them their name.

Their fins add to their beauty. The dorsal fin base is red with a white edge. The anal and pelvic fins start red and fade at the edges. The caudal fin changes from red to almost clear, and the pectoral fins stay colorless, creating a nice contrast.

Flame tetras are small in size. They grow up to about 1 inch long and take almost two years to reach their full size⁵. This makes them ideal for smaller aquariums.

“The flame tetra’s vibrant coloration and compact size make it a stunning addition to any aquarium, bringing a touch of fiery beauty to the underwater world.”

Flame tetras are popular in aquariums but face challenges in the wild. Sadly, they are thought to be extinct in their natural habitat. This highlights the need for responsible breeding and care in captivity⁶.

Habitat Requirements for Flame Tetra

Creating the perfect aquarium for Flame Tetras is key to their happiness. These fish love specific conditions that match their wild home.

Tank Size and Setup

Flame Tetras need room to swim and be with others. A 15-gallon tank is perfect for 6 to 7 of them⁷. Keeping them in groups of at least 6 makes them happy, as they love being together⁸⁷.

Water Parameters

Flame Tetras like water that’s a bit acidic, just like their home. I keep the pH between 5.5 and 7.5 in my tanks⁸⁷⁹. The water should be soft, between 3 to 15 dGH⁷. Temperature should be steady, between 72°F to 82°F (22°C to 27.8°C)⁷⁹.

Lighting and Vegetation

Flame Tetras do well in a tank with lots of plants and soft lighting. I use floating plants for shade, just like their wild home. This setup gives them places to hide and feel safe, showing off their bright colors.

Good fish care means changing the water often and checking its quality. With these conditions, your Flame Tetras will flourish and look their best in your tank.

Flame Tetra Behavior and Compatibility

Flame Tetras are fascinating schooling fish that love to be in groups. They are peaceful and active, making them fun to watch in a community tank. These small fish, about 2 to 2.5 centimeters long, need a group of at least 6 in a 10-gallon tank⁸.

Keeping Flame Tetras in larger groups makes them more interesting to watch. For their health and bright colors, I suggest having 10 to 16 fish in a 20 to 30-gallon tank¹⁰. This size tank lets them form their natural social structures and show off their behaviors.

Flame Tetras are easy to pair with other peaceful fish. They get along with smaller characids, non-aggressive catfish, and some calm cichlids. Even with more assertive fish, like betta fish, they can live together in a well-set community⁸.

“Flame Tetras bring life and color to any community tank. Their schooling behavior is mesmerizing!”

For the best life for your Flame Tetras, keep the water right for them. Aim for a pH of 6.5-7.5 and temperatures between 72-80°F (22-26°C)⁸. This matches their natural home and helps them stay healthy and breed well.

Dietary Needs of Flame Tetra

Understanding the dietary needs of flame tetras is key for their health and color. These small fish need a specific diet and feeding routine in aquariums.

Natural Diet

In their home in Southeast Brazilian waters, flame tetras eat a mix of small invertebrates, algae, and organic matter. This varied diet keeps their colors bright and keeps them healthy.

Recommended Foods in Captivity

To feed them like they do in the wild, mix different foods. Use high-quality flakes or pellets as the main food. Add live or frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp for proteins⁵. Lettuce and zucchini can also be given to them for extra nutrients⁵.

Feeding Frequency and Amount

Feeding them right is crucial for healthy flame tetras. They do well with small meals throughout the day. Feed them 2-3 times a day, only as much as they can eat quickly to avoid overfeeding and keep the water clean.

“Feed your flame tetras a variety of foods to keep them healthy and vibrant. A balanced diet is the secret to their longevity and beauty in the aquarium.”

Follow these feeding tips to help your flame tetras flourish. A well-fed flame tetra is a happy and colorful addition to your aquarium, just like their cousins, the neon tetras.

Breeding Flame Tetra in Aquariums

Flame Tetra fish breeding in aquariums is rewarding for enthusiasts. These fish become ready to breed at about 6 months old. This makes them perfect for those looking to start a breeding project¹⁰.

I began by creating a special breeding tank. A 20-gallon long tank filled with 12 gallons of R/O water is ideal¹¹. For a smaller setup, a 10 to 29-gallon tank is great for a breeding group¹⁰. I keep the water at 76°F and the pH between 5.5 and 7.5¹¹¹⁰.

Flame Tetras lay eggs that scatter on the tank’s bottom. A female can release up to 500 eggs at once³. After spawning, I move the adults to keep the eggs safe. The eggs hatch in 24 to 36 hours¹⁰.

Once the fry hatch, I feed them micro-worms and paramecium¹¹. It’s amazing to see hundreds of tiny fry grow. With the right care, they will be adults in about 6 months¹⁰.

Conservation Status and Wild Population

The Flame Tetra was once common in Southeast Brazil but now faces a critical situation. This small fish has been in the aquarium trade for over a century. It was first exported as Hyphessobrycon bifasciatus in 1920 and became its own species in 1924¹².

Now, the Flame Tetra is listed as Endangered by the IUCN 3.1 criteria. Its wild population in Southeast Brazil is under great threat¹. The main threats are habitat loss, pollution, and invasive species. This makes saving this fish very important¹.

The last time Flame Tetras were seen in Rio de Janeiro was in 1992. This shows how urgent conservation efforts are needed¹. Since 2004, Brazil has protected the Flame Tetra as endangered. But, we still need to work hard to keep it safe in the wild.

Even though wild populations are declining, the aquarium trade helps save this fish. Millions of Flame Tetras are bred in captivity in South-East Asia, Europe, and the USA¹². This helps reduce the demand on wild populations and keeps the species alive if it disappears from the wild.

“Conservation breeding is vital for preserving the Flame Tetra species, highlighting the importance of maintaining aquarium strains to prevent extinction.”

The aquarium trade has also created new colors like golden, orange, and albino¹. These captive-bred fish could be key for reintroduction efforts in the future. This shows how the pet trade and saving endangered species can work together.

Flame Tetra Care Tips for Beginners

Flame Tetras are a great choice for beginners in fish care. They are easy to care for but need some important tips for a healthy aquarium. These vibrant fish are active and love to swim around, so a bigger tank is best.

A 15-gallon tank is recommended for Flame Tetras, more than the minimum of 10 gallons¹³¹⁴. They need space to move and play. This keeps them happy and healthy.

Keeping the water clean is key for Flame Tetras. I keep the temperature between 72-82°F and the pH level slightly acidic, around 5.5-7.5. Changing 25% of the water every few weeks helps keep it clean¹³.

Flame Tetras like to be in groups. I keep at least 7 of them together to mimic their natural behavior. This makes them happy and looks beautiful in the tank¹⁴.

“Watching my Flame Tetras swim together is like seeing a living rainbow in motion!”

These fish eat a variety of foods. I feed them commercial flakes and frozen foods like bloodworms or brine shrimp. But, don’t feed them too much as they can fight over food¹³¹⁴!

With the right care, Flame Tetras can live up to five years. They add color and life to your aquarium. Remember, being consistent with fish care and aquarium maintenance is crucial for their health¹³.

Common Health Issues and Prevention

Flame Tetras, like many aquarium fish, face health challenges. One big issue is neon tetra disease, which affects many fish types. This disease, caused by the parasite Pleistophora hyphessobryconis, spreads easily through infected fish or contaminated food¹⁵.

It’s important to watch for common health problems. White spots on the skin could mean ich, often from stress or sudden temperature changes. Flukes can harm gills and skin in poor conditions. Anchor worms burrow into the skin, causing inflammation. Bacterial infections might lead to bloating and protruding scales¹⁶.

Preventing problems is key for Flame Tetras. They like water temperatures between 21-24°C and don’t like poor water quality. Regular water changes and careful watching can spot issues early. It’s smart to quarantine new fish and buy from trusted sources to avoid diseases¹⁷. Keeping an eye on aquarium health and watching for fish diseases helps keep Flame Tetras healthy.

Source Links

1. Flame tetra
2. Hyphessobrycon flammeus – Flame Tetra — Seriously Fish
3. Flame Tetra – Hyphessobrycon flammeus Fish Profile & Care Guide
4. Learn How to Take Care of a Flame Tetra in Your Aquarium
5. Flame Tetra Guide: Care, Breeding, Size, Substrate & All | 2024
6. Hyphessobrycon flammeus summary page
7. The Complete Guide to Flame Tetra Care
8. Flame Tetra (Von Rio Tetra): Diet, Habitat, Compatibility & Breeding – Keeping Fish
9. Flame Tetra – Gold – Hyphessobrycon flammeus Fish Profile & Care Guide
10. Von Rio Flame Tetra (Hyphessobrycon flammeus) Species Profile :: AquariumDomain.com
11. Breeding Hyphessobrycon flammeus
12. The Flame Tetra – survival thanks to the aquarium hobby – Aqualog.de
13. Flame Tetra Care: Size, Tank Mates, Diet, Water & More
14. Colombian Tetra ( Blue Flame Tetra)
15. How to Manage Deadly Neon Tetra Disease
16. Fish illnesses How to spot them
17. The Neon Tetra Disease