Family: Characidae
Distribution: Hyphessobrycon hamatus can be found in two tributaries branching off of the Vermelho River in Brazil, South America. This area is found in the Tocantins River basin.
PH: 6 – 7.5 pH
Temperature: 23 – 28°C (73 – 82°F)
Hardness: 2 – 15 dH
Description: Hyphessobrycon hamatus appears identical to two other relatives: Hyphessobrycon socolofi and Hyphessobrycon erthrostigma. Thus, it is a semi-transparent variety of Tetra, with a faint red stripe extending from head to caudal fins. Whilst it has similar dorsal, anal, pectoral and pelvic fin colouration, Hyphessobrycon hamatus also has hooks on these fins. This species also lacks the large spot on the dorsal fin.
They will reach a length of 4.5cm in the tank. As they are rare, it is unknown what behavioural characteristics are present. It can be probably be assumed that they are generally peaceful and active, although may display some aggression if housed in a tank that is too small.
Diet: Use a typical omnivorous diet for your Hyphessobrycon hamatus: quality flakes and pellets as the staple, with occasional live foods as treats.
Breeding: As there is limited information available regarding the specifics of Hyphessobrycon hamatus, the general method pertaining to the family is included.
Two conditioning tanks should be established to house a one-year-old male and a one-year-old female. These should be conditioned on Drosophila and insect larvae for two-to-three weeks, before the duo can be introduced into a 38L breeding tank. To set up a breeding tank, include many fine-leaved plants and a soft filtration system, but do not use substrate. Use water with a pH of 5.5 – 6.5, a dH of 2 – 4, and a temperature of 24 – 26°C (75 – 79°F). It is unknown if the eggs are light-sensitive, so it is best to keep them out of direct sunlight just in case.
It should take three days for the pair to spawn. If no eggs appear, recondition them. The eggs will appear in the leaves of the plants and the parents should be removed immediately after spawning as they are cannibalistic. A little over twenty-four hours after being laid, the eggs will hatch. The fry will appear few days later and should be fed on an initial diet of micro-organisms and baby Brine, and crushed flake ten days later.
The eggs and fry require weekly, partial water changes as they are susceptible to illness in poor water conditions.
Comments: Due to their scarcity, there is not a lot of data available on Hyphessobrycon hamatus. For these reasons, general information pertaining to the Hyphessobrycon family has been included.
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.
Originally posted 2010-04-21 02:38:50. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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