Kitty Tetra (Hyphessobrycon heliacus)
| Kitty Tetra Hyphessobrycon heliacus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Kitty Tetra |
| Name Lat. | Hyphessobrycon heliacus |
| Family | Characins |
| Family lat. | Characidae |
| Order | Characins |
| Order lat. | Characiformes |
| Origin | Brazil |
| Habitat | Streams |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 6.0-7.0 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Egg scatterer |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 2-4 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 2-3 cm |
| Temperature | 22-27 °C |
| Hardness | 1-10 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 60 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 0.8"-1.2" |
| Temperature | 72-81 °F |
| Hardness | 18-178 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 15 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The range of kitty tetras is the inlet of the upper Rio Tapajós in Brazil, where they are found in the Rio Teles Pires and other small tributaries. They live in the margins of small rivers and streams with muddy bottoms and dense underwater vegetation.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a varied, partly dense planting, with shelters and hiding places (roots) and provide sufficient swimming space. A dark substrate covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond tree, oak), shaded light (floating plants) and soft, slightly acidic water with a weak current is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality dry food (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as cyclops, daphnia, mosquito larvae, artemia and tubifex (live or frozen). In addition, they need regular vegetable food, such as pureed leafy and wild vegetables, algae leaves or dry food with vegetable ingredients (e.g. spirulina, kelp).
Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.
Behaviour and compatibility
They are lively schooling fish that should be kept in a group of at least 5-10 fish. They can be kept well with other peaceful fish in a community aquarium
Basically, only mutually compatible fish species with similar requirements for water conditions and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The males are more colorful, the fins shimmer orange-red at the base and have a long extended dorsal fin when older. The females appear somewhat more rounded.
Reproduction and breeding
In soft, slightly acidic peat water, they usually spawn up to 400 eggs between fine-feathered plants (free spawners) and do not engage in brood care. The larvae hatch after approx. 36 hours and swim freely after approx. 4 days.
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii, dust food). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the spawn is easy prey.
Important
They are considered fin twitchers. Kept in a group, other fish are not bothered and their occasionally quarrelsome behavior remains intraspecific.
Adequate feeding of plant food reduces the risk of the fish eating the tender shoots of aquatic plants.
The foliage (sea almond tree, oak, etc.) enriches the water with humic substances, naturally lowers the pH and, when rotting, promotes the development of microorganisms, which are a valuable secondary food source.
The well-being of the fish should be monitored regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: petdata
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF