Columbian Tetra


Scientific Name(s): Hyphessobrycon columbianus

Family: Charicidae

Common Name(s): Columbian Tetra, Blue Flame Tetra, Columbian Blue Tetra.

Origin: South America: Acandi River basin, Colombia.

Maximum Size: 2 3/4 inches nearly 3"

Life Span: 4-5 years

Natural Habitat: Small creeks

Diet: mainly invertebrates, will take a variety of flake, and live or dried food with gusto.

Temperature: 75°-84° F (24°-29° C)

PH: Optimal 5.0 -7.2 survives up to 8.5

Minimum Tank Size: 29 gallon

Tank Region: Mid water, generally in the open.

Temperament: This tetra is peaceful to other species, but in smaller tanks can be aggressive to each other. They do not typically prey on other fish, with the exception of small fry.

Possible Tank Mates: They are to boisterous to keep with timid fish or slow eaters, and they may nip long fins

Filtration and Setup: Good water movement with lots of oxygen is needed for the best coloration.

Needs open swimming space.

Coloration: A shimmery light blue is the basic color of the body, with hints of red developing in good conditions on the lower rear quarter of the body. Fins range from a bright red on the forked tail, orange on the anal fin, and yellowish on dorsal and ventral fins. The eye is large with blue green shine around the pupil.

Male's dorsal fins are sickle shaped. Females are generally thicker and have rounded dorsal fins that are a little shorter than the male dorsal. The fins are easier to tell apart when they are not folded, in which case they look similar.

Introduced to the hobby in 2003 (citation needed) this tetra can be and was confused with the long available, much smaller Hyphessobrycon equadorensis.

Breeding: Reportedly easy. Mine would spawn in the early morning although I never raised any. (2)

Comments: I have kept these twice, in a regular 20 and a 75. The behavior in the 20 gallon led me to think the tank wasn't big enough for their social needs. There was con specific aggression and the courting displays looked like more room could be used.


Bibliography:

1. http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=60560&genusname=Hyphessobrycon&speciesname=columbianus Accessed May 21, 2009

2. Frederick Miles personal experience,
kept 6 in 20 gallon 2003
kept 9 in 75 gallon 2008

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