Hyphessobrycon loretoensis – Loreto Tetra

Hyphessobrycon loretoensis – Loreto Tetra

The species Hyphessobrycon loretoensis was first described by Ladiges in 1938. Their common name is Loreto Tetra.

The genus name Hyphessobrycon is composed of two Greek words: “hyphḗssōn” (ὑφήσσων), meaning “smaller”, and “brycon” (βρύχω), meaning “biting”, “gnashing teeth” or “greedy eating”. The name probably refers to the small size of these fish (described as 26–42 mm) and their distinctive fully toothed jaws.

The specific epithet loretoensis is derived from the Latin suffix “-ensis”, which denotes a place. It refers to Loreto, Peru, the type location in the upper Amazon where this fish species was first discovered.

Description

Hyphessobrycon loretoensis has a slender and streamlined body, typical of many species within the Characidae family. The base color is gray/green. A wide dark band runs from the eye to the caudal fin. An iridescent yellow/gold stripe is visible above the band. The pelvic and pectoral fins are transparent. The dorsal and anal fin are also transparent, but the tip of the fin sometimes has a white spot. The caudal fin is forked and colored red/transparent.

This is a small fish. Loreto Tetras do not grow larger than three centimeters, including the caudal fin.

Males are often slightly slimmer and more colorful than females. The males’ fins may also be slightly longer and more colorful.

Hyphessobrycon loretoensis is a peaceful fish species that combines well with other peaceful fish. They usually live in schools and are most comfortable in groups of at least six individuals. They are not shy and often swim in the middle waters of their habitat.

Lifespan

The life expectancy of Hyphessobrycon loretoensis in the wild is not exactly known, but similar species can live for several years. In a well-maintained aquarium, these fish can live up to about 5 years, depending on care and water quality.

Biotope

The Loreto Tetra (Hyphessobrycon loretoensis) occurs naturally in South America, specifically in the countries of Peru, Colombia and Ecuador. These fish live primarily in the upper reaches of the Amazon basin, including the Loreto-Yacu, Pichuna, Aguarico, and Ucayali rivers. They are often found in forest streams and small tributaries, and also in flooded forests during periods of high water.

Natural Habitat

The Loreto Tetra’s natural habitat is characterized by an abundance of underwater vegetation, such as roots and leaves, and the edges of the water are often overgrown with trees and other vegetation. The soil usually consists of a mixture of sand and organic matter such as fallen leaves and branches.

The Loreto Tetra lives in a tropical climate with seasonal flooding. During these periods of high water they move into flooded forests, which temporarily expands their habitat.

Diet

In the wild, the Loreto Tetra is omnivorous. They feed on a variety of food sources, including small invertebrates, insects, algae, and organic matter such as fallen leaves and fruit. They are opportunistic feeders and consume what is available in their natural habitat, such as small crustaceans and other small aquatic animals.

In the aquarium, the Loreto Tetra is best fed a varied diet to maintain their health and color. You can feed them with high-quality flake food, Daphnia, artemia, and mosquito larvae, but also with leafy vegetables such as blanched spinach and zucchini.

The aquarium

For a group of Loreto Tetras, an aquarium with a basic size of at least 60 x 30 cm is recommended. If you want to keep multiple pairs, it is advisable to choose a larger aquarium, for example, an aquarium of 80 x 40 cm or larger, to provide enough space for their behavior and to reduce stress.

The aquarium should be decorated with plenty of plants, driftwood, and branches to simulate a natural environment. The addition of dried leaf litter can help create a natural look and provide additional hiding places and food sources for the fish. A dark substrate of sand or fine gravel is ideal as this mimics the Loreto Tetra’s natural environment and gives them a sense of security.

Water parameters

The best water conditions for the Loreto Tetra in the aquarium are a temperature between 22 and 28 °C, a pH value of 5.0 to 7.0, and a water hardness of 18 to 143 ppm. The water should be well filtered, but without too much current, as these fish prefer calm water.

Suitable tankmates

The Loreto Tetra can be kept well with other peaceful and non-predatory fish of similar size. Suitable species include Hatchetfish, small Loricariids, Corydoras, small Cichlids, and other small characids such as Neon Tetras.

Spawning Tank and Conditioning

The Loreto Tetra can be bred in a regular aquarium or in a special breeding aquarium. It is an egg scatterer that deposits eggs between the plants. In a densely planted aquarium, some young fish will sometimes survive. However, for optimal results, a special breeding aquarium is often used.

A smaller aquarium of about 20-40 liters is suitable for breeding Loreto Tetras. The water should be slightly acidic to neutral with a pH value between 5.0 and 7.0 and a temperature of 24-28 °C. The water hardness must be low, between GH 1 and 10. The breeding tank should be dimly lit to simulate a natural environment and reduce stress on the fish. An air-driven sponge filter or an air stone is ideal for providing plenty of oxygen and light water movement without sucking up the eggs or young fish.

Conditioning

The fish are conditioned with a diet of high-quality live and frozen food, such as bloodworms, white- and black mosquito larvae, Daphnia, and brine shrimp. It is common to temporarily keep the males and females separate and feed them with high-quality food to keep them in top condition.

The breeding group

Once the females are visibly full of eggs, the males and females are brought together in the breeding tank. This can be done in pairs or in a group with a ratio of one or two males per several females. A typical breeding group may consist of one or two males and several females, for example a ratio of 1:2 or 1:3.

Breeding aquarium layout

The breeding aquarium should be decorated with fine-leaved plants such as Java moss. Place a layer of glass marbles, a fine mesh net or thick plastic artificial grass on the bottom to protect the eggs from the parents. The eggs then fall out of their reach.

The Spawn

During the spawning season, the colors of the Loreto Tetra become more intense. The males often show more intense coloration, especially in the red tones of their fins and the dark lateral stripe. Spawning usually takes place in the morning. Once the males and females are properly conditioned, they are brought together in the breeding tank and spawning often occurs the next morning.

The Loreto Tetra is an egg scatterer, which means that the eggs are laid open and exposed and are not protected in a cave or by mouth brooding. The eggs are scattered around in the aquarium. The eggs of the Loreto Tetra are small and transparent. They are usually light in color.

Raising the fry

The eggs of the Loreto Tetra hatch after about 24 to 36 hours. The young begin swimming freely three to four days after the eggs hatch. There is no parental care in the Loreto Tetra. The parents show no brood care and will even eat the eggs or young if given the chance. Therefore, it is important to remove the parents from the breeding tank once the eggs have been laid.

The first food for the young fish consists of infusoria or other very small food sources such as Paramecium. After a few days, the fry can be fed with baby brine shrimp and microworms.

Conclusion

The Loreto Tetra is a fish for the more experienced aquarist due to their sensitivity to water quality and specific needs. They require a well-decorated aquarium with stable water parameters and a varied diet. They exhibit interesting behavior and are best kept in a school of at least 8-10 fish. Although they can be challenging to keep, they provide great satisfaction for the dedicated aquarist.

Video

Author

John de Lange

Copyright images

Michael Negrini – Pisciculture d’Estalens
AquariumGlaser.de