Family: Characidae
Distribution: Hyphessobrycon minimus makes the Mahaica River basin of South America its home.
PH: 6.0 – 7.5 pH
Temperature: 22 – 28 °C (72 – 82 °F)
Hardness: 2 – 15 dH
Description: Hyphessobrycon minimus is one of the smallest Tetras, only just reaching 2cm when fully mature.
There is insufficient information regarding the specifics of Hyphessobrycon minimus due to their rarity; therefore facts such as colouration and sexual dimorphism are unavailable. If they are anything like their Hyphessobrycon relatives, however, they should be peaceful, active schooling fish that will thrive in a community tank.
Diet: A diet high in flakes or pellets will suit Hyphessobrycon minimus, with occasional live food treats. The species tends to favour bloodworms and insect larvae.
Breeding: As Hyphessobrycon minimus is so unusual in the hobby, there are currently no reports of breeding attempts. If attempting yourself, use a typical Hyphessobrycon methodology: start by setting up two conditioning tanks and put a year old male in one and a year old female in the other. Feed the duo on live foods for about three weeks and then introduce them into a breeding tank. The tank should be set up with a warm temperature (around 26°C), soft water, fine-leaved plants and dim lighting. It is unknown if the eggs are light-sensitive, so it is best to err on the side of caution and keep them in the dark.
The pair should spawn into the leaves within three days. If this doesn’t happen, repeat the conditioning process. Remove the parents after spawning before they eat the eggs.
24 hours later and the eggs will begin to hatch. Feed the free swimming fry on baby brine shrimp.
Comments: It is extremely difficult (nigh impossible) to find Hyphessobrycon minimus for sale and therefore there is an extreme scarcity of information available. For this reason, 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.
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