Hyphessobrycon amapaensis – Amapá Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amapaensis was first described by Zarske and Géry in 1998. This species belongs to the family Characidae. The genus name Hyphessobrycon is derived from the Greek “hyphesson” (of smaller stature) and “brycon” (to bite). The species name ends in -ensis, which is a Latin suffix indicating a place. In this case, the State of Amapá in Brazil. Its common name is Amapá Tetra.
Description
Appearance:
Hyphessobrycon amapaensis is a small, silvery fish with a striking red line along the body. Below the red line is a yellow and a black line. The fins are transparent with a slight yellow or orange tint. The maximum length is about 3 cm.
Hyphessobrycon amapaensis looks a lot like Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus . To tell the difference between Hyphessobrycon amapaensis and Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus , you can look for the following characteristics:
- Color pattern:
Hyphessobrycon amapaensis has a broader red stripe that is dominant in coloration, with a narrow black stripe that is only visible in the first part and gradually narrows towards the base of the tail.
Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus has a broader black stripe that is more conspicuous than the red stripe. - Tooth structure:
Hyphessobrycon amapaensis has two teeth in the upper jaw: one tricuspid (with three points) and one conical (cone-shaped).
Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus has four conical teeth. - Number of scales and gill arches:
Hyphessobrycon amapaensis has 30-32 scales in a longitudinal row and 13-17 gill arch teeth.
Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus has 32-34 scales and 19-gill arches. - Fin rays:
Hyphessobrycon amapaensis has 18-20 branched anal fin rays.
Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus has 21-23 branched anal fin rays.
These differences help identify the two species, especially in an aquarium setting where close observation is possible.
Differences between sexes:
Females are slightly larger and plumper in the abdomen than males. No specific behavioral differences between the sexes have been reported.
Behavior and Temperament:
The Amapá Tetra is a peaceful fish that lives in schools. They are not aggressive and can live well with other fish of similar size and temperament.
Life expectancy:
In an aquarium, they can live up to 5 years.
Biotope
Distribution:
Hyphessobrycon amapaensis is native to Brazil, specifically the Amapá region.
Habitat:
They live in small savannah streams with sand and gravel bottoms. The water is clear and light brown, with little underwater vegetation. The climate is tropical, with a pH of 5.8 to 6.3 and temperatures between 24.7 and 27.2°C.
Diet
In the wild:
Hyphessobrycon amapaensis is omnivorous, feeding on small invertebrates and plant material.
In the aquarium:
They can be fed dry, fresh, or frozen food. Varying the diet is important to prevent deficiencies.
Do not feed:
Avoid overfeeding to prevent water pollution.
The Aquarium
Aquarium size: An aquarium of at least 60 centimeters and 60 liters is suitable for a small school. For multiple pairs, a larger aquarium is recommended.
Setup:
Use fine sand or gravel as substrate, and add plants and rocks for hiding places. Peat filtration can help optimize water conditions.
Water parameters:
Ideal water parameters are a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 and a temperature of 24-27°C.
Compatibility:
Suitable tankmates include other peaceful tetras and small fish such as Nannostomus and Aequidens.
Breeding aquarium and conditioning
Breeding Method:
Hyphessobrycon amapaensis is an egg-scattering species that does not exhibit parental care. A separate breeding tank is recommended for breeding. This tank should be filled with mature water and have a slightly acidic to neutral pH, with a temperature at the upper end of the recommended range.
Aquarium setup:
The breeding tank should be dimly lit, and the bottom should be covered with fine mesh or plastic ‘grass’ mats so that the eggs can fall through the openings and remain out of reach of the adult fish. Alternatively, fine-leaved plants or breeding mops can be used.
Conditioning:
Condition the adult fish with live food such as brine shrimp and daphnia. A group of one or two males and several females can be placed in the breeding tank until eggs are detected, usually the following morning.
The spawn
Colors and ritual:
During spawning, the fish’s colors can become more intense, although specific details are not given in the connected documents. Eggs are usually laid in the morning.
Egg laying:
Eggs are scattered on the ground or between plants without specific protection. The number of eggs is not specified, but a controlled rearing environment can help maximize yield.
Raising the fry
Hatching and Free Swimming:
The eggs usually hatch within 24-48 hours. Once the fry are free swimming, they can be fed Paramecium or a suitable dry food of small pellet size. The diet can be expanded to include Artemia nauplii and microworms as they grow.
Parental Care:
There is no parental care in this species. However, regular water changes are important to maintain water quality and increase the fry’s survival chances.
Particularities
Hyphessobrycon amapaensis is a member of the heterorhabdus group and is often confused with Hyphessobrycon heterorhabdus. However, the red stripe is broader and more dominant in H. amapaensis.
Conclusion
Hyphessobrycon amapaensis is an attractive and peaceful fish suitable for community aquariums. They are relatively easy to keep if the water conditions remain stable. Their colorful appearance and peaceful nature make them popular with aquarium enthusiasts.
Video
Author
John de Lange
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