A Semi Aggressive Tetra

Another scientific name (junior synonym) is Hyphessobrycon ecuadoriensis, but Hyphessobrycon colombianus more accurately reflects its origin.

The Colombian Tetra grows to a length of about 2 inches (5cm), and because it is a deep bodied fish is one of the larger tetras.

Water Conditions

The Colombian Tetra can be kept in a mixed community aquarium with a temperature of 24̊ C (75̊ F) and a neutral pH (7) with a moderate degree of hardness.

Food

The Colombian Tetra is an omnivore and will eat all normal aquarium foods without trouble. They like live food including Daphnia and Mosquito larvae. Frozen blood worms are also eaten readily. Colombian Tetras also eat live plants to some extent.

Companions

The Colombian Tetra is a schooling fish and I suggest that at least 6 be kept together, this will make the fish appear more comfortable as well as reducing their slightly aggressive tendencies. The Colombian Tetra can be kept as a community fish with selected companions. Some suitable companions are: the larger tetras, danios, Rasboras and White Cloud Mountain Minnows, as well as the Corydoras catfish like the Peppered Catfish.

I would avoid any slow or long finned species like Siamese Fighting Fish, Guppies and Endlers Guppies.

Some other fish like Neon Tetras and Cardinal Tetras may be all right (I have kept Neon Tetras with Colombian Tetras without trouble) but I would be a little cautious in keeping them together, especially when the Colombian Tetras start to get bigger.

Breeding

The Colombian Tetra is an egg layer, but little information is available about breeding them in a home aquarium. There is not much difference between the sexes, but the females get fatter when they have eggs.

Sources

I am grateful to the following sources of information about the Colombian Tetra: AQUATAB, Tim's Tropicals, Live Fish.com, and Fish Lore.com.

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