| Bleeding heart tetra | |
|---|---|
| |
| Male | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Characidae |
| Genus: | Hyphessobrycon |
| Species: |
H. erythrostigma
|
| Binomial name | |
| Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma (Fowler, 1943) | |
The bleeding heart tetra (Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma) is a freshwater tropical fish native to the Upper Amazon River basin.[2][3] It grows to the size of 2.5 in (64 mm) and lives for around five years.
The female is more full bodied and the male has a larger dorsal fin, whereas the male is distinguished by longer extended dorsal and anal fins. The dorsal fin is elongated into a sickle shape that arches to the length of the tail base. The female has a shorter rounded fin.
This egg-laying fish has been bred successfully, with difficulty, in captivity.[2]
The dorsal fin and anal fin of the males can become long and flowing.[2] Both sexes have the eye-catching blood-red spot in the pectoral area. Both also have the black and white patch on the dorsal fin.
A group of 6 fishes will feel comfortable in a 15-gallon tank, but a bigger tank (preferably 30 gallons) and more fishes are recommended.
According to the Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, it prefers water of 23–28 °C (73–82 °F) that is soft (50-100 mg/L) and acidic (pH 5.6-6.9), and a diet of prepared foods and small live foods.[2] It is recommended that peat be added to the filter to help keep the water conditions suitable for it.[2]
| Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma |
|
|---|---|
