Family: Characidae
Distribution: Hyphessobrycon griemi can be found in coastal rivers stretching from São Paulo to Santa Catarina, Brazil.
PH: 5.8 – 7.8 pH
Temperature: 22 – 28 °C (72 – 82 °F)
Hardness: 4 – 18 dH
Description: Another schooler, keep your Hyphessobrycon griemi in groups of five or more. They are peaceful and small – only growing to 3cm at maximum. The males tend to be slimmer than the females.
Hyphessobrycon griemi is similar in appearance to the Flame Tetra (Hyphessobrycon flammeus): both these fish have a silver upper body and a red (or brown, depending on water conditions) lower body. Hyphessobrycon griemi does not sport the stripes of the Flame Tetra, however; instead they have three vertical spots sitting behind the gills. Their adipose, pectoral and dorsal fins are translucent. Hyphessobrycon griemi also has a silver stomach.
There are two ways to distinguish the sexes: firstly, he tends to be slimmer, and secondly, the males have a blood red anal fin whilst the females’ is lighter.
Diet: A fairly unfussy eater, Hyphessobrycon griemi will eat almost anything offered. Keep a diet that has a high ratio of vegetable matter and flakes or pellets, with occasional treats (a few times a week) of brine shrimp, blood worm or the like.
Breeding: Condition a pair of Hyphessobrycon griemi on live foods for a few weeks before introducing them into a breeding tank. The tank should include plants with fine leaves and dim lighting. The pair should spawn within three days; however if this fails to happen, repeat the process.
The eggs (up to 300) will be spawning into the leaves. Remove the parents before they eat the soon-to-be-offspring. The eggs will hatch 24 hours later and feed the fry on baby brine shrimp.
Comments: Wild fish are rare in retail sales; instead, the readily-available ones are most likely bred in captivity in Southeast Asia.
They are remarkably easy to care for and breed, requiring a 30L tank with plantation and open area for swimming.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species: They should live happily with other Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They also should be good tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, Corydoras Catfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platy and most Gourami (such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also should live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danio and Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish could make great tank mates.
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