Family: Characidae
Distribution: The Firefin Tetra is found in the Parana River in Argentina, South America. It reportedly enjoys streams and tributaries found in mountains.
PH: 6.7 – 7.4 pH
Temperature: 21 – 24 °C (70 – 75 °F)
Hardness: 3 – 15 dH
Description: Another peaceful and active Hyphessobrycon species, the Firefin Tetra is on the lower end of the size scale, reaching 3-5cm when grown. Ensure you have at least six to shoal at a time, preferably more.
Yet again the females are bulkier than the males and miss out on the vibrancy of the male colouration. A translucent fish, Hyphessobrycon igneus displays a blue hue on its body and bright metallic blue tips to the distal portion of fins. The caudal fin lobes also have a splash of red from the base. Below the iris is a large blue pigmentation. A yellow line is apparent that runs from the head, skits across the eye and continues down to the base of the caudal fin.
Diet: Use a staple diet of flakes or pellets supplemented with live foods such as daphnia, micro worms or insect larvae.
Breeding: Whilst there are no reports of successful aquarium breeding, it is suggested that the method used to breed Hemigrammus boesemani is used.
Set up a separate breeding tank with a pH of 5.5 – 6.5, gH of 1 – 5, and temperature that is consistant with the normal tank. They prefer very dim lighting, so keep the tank out of direct sunlight and include floating plants for top cover and dense plantation around the sides. As the parents will eat the eggs, include some sort of mesh or netting at the bottom of the tank so the eggs may fall through but the parents cannot reach them. Remove the parents after spawning. Soft filtration is also required for the set up.
The eggs will hatch in just over 24 hours, and the fry will be swimming around 3-4 days later. Feed the fry on infusoria for the first few days and then move onto microworm or baby brine. Both eggs and fry are extremely sensitive to light, so keep the tank in as much darkness as possible.
Hemigrammus igneus may be spawned in groups (half a dozen of each sex) or in pairs.
Comments: The Firefin Tetra is adaptable and will survive in either an Amazonian biotope tank or in the general Hyphessobrycon one. If using a general set up, ensure the lighting is diffused, there is good plantation and that the water is tannin-stained (bogwood or leaves). It requires a tank of at least 70L.
Despite the hardiness of Hyphessobrycon igneus, it is rare in retail trade.
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 06:03:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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