Data sheet jewelry tetra

German name:
jewelry tetra

Scientific name:
Hyphessobrycon bentosi

Origin:
South America, Lower Amazon Basin in Brazil

Size:
4-5 cm

Aquarium

Length:
at least 60 x 30cm

Contents:
from 54 liters

water values

Temperature:
23-29ºC

pH:
5.5 – 7.5

GH:
5 – 15 °dGH

Behave

Area:
center

Lining:
small live, frozen and dry food such as black mosquito larvae, fruit flies

Behave:
lively school fish

Number:
Group housing of at least 6-10 animals

Difficulty level:
also suitable for beginners, difficult breeding

Aquakeeper14, Male Rosy Tetra, CC BY-SA 3.0

keeping jewelry collectors

According to one report, ornamental tetras, Hyphessobrycon bentosi, behave atypical for Hyphessobrycon.

A swarm of 8 fish was very shy in a community tank and only really became active when it was getting dark in the evening and activities taking place in the room could no longer be properly registered by the fish. The animals were not unduly disturbed.

They only ate when the food was practically poured directly in front of their mouths. Flakes on the water surface were not eaten. Not even frozen food.
Only food that sinks to the bottom was eaten. Here, too, the food was often snatched from under their noses by other fish of the same size.

The flock was lively and behaved like this for at least 2 years. At the slightest movement in front of the pool, they hid in the plants.

Normally, Hyphessobrycon, e.g. B. rose tetra, Hyphessobrycon bentosi rosacaeus, after a few days the initial shyness. They are then lively and curious. With their typical eating behavior, they snap at lightning speed for food.

The shyness described often occurs in aquarium fish, which are traded as wild-caught, e.g. B. also in Corydoras. They often remain shy throughout their lifespan and do not discard the behavior.

Breeding of ornamental tetras

Schucktetrar, Hyphessobrycon bentosi Photo: Ronny Dietzel

The total hardness should be 6° dGH and at most 10° dGH if a larger yield is desired. The carbonate hardness should be between 2 and 7, the pH between 6.5 and 7.0. A suitable breeding temperature is 26°C.

In a previously set up breeding tank a pair of jewelry tetras is used. The breeding tank should not be too small. However, ornamental tetras can also be raised in 8 liter tanks if the young are moved frequently and the hygiene is very good.

A spawning grid is important. Like almost all tetras, they prey on their eggs.

The tank is darkened a little so that the parents are not so frightened and the spawn is not damaged. The spawn should be sensitive to light.

The pair stays in the breeding tank for a maximum of 6 days. If there are still no eggs, the pair is taken out of the breeding tank and re-planted later.

A pair can be scheduled for breeding every 12-14 days. Approx. 30 – 80 young fish can be reared at a time.