Colombian Tetra

Hyphessobrycon columbianus

Spectacular but insidious fin-nipper. Decimates slow tankmates if kept in small groups.

Family: Characidae
Origin: Colombia (Fiume Acandi)
Tank use: Used in 0 tanks

Temperature

24 °C - 28 °C

6 - 7.5

Water type

Freshwater

Tank level

Middle

Adult size

7 cm

Description

The Hyphessobrycon columbianus is visually stunning but its bulk (over 6 cm) makes it a community tank bully.

If kept in groups under 10, its hierarchical aggression is taken out on tankmates: slow fish like Angelfish, Bettas, or Guppies will be stripped of their fins.

Care and observations

FIN-NIPPING MUTILATIONS: Relentless biters. Any slow-swimming or veil-finned fish will be systematically mutilated. HIERARCHICAL FRATRICIDE: Must live in schools of 10-15+. In lower numbers, the alpha male will harass the weakest of its own group to death.

Fish profile

Tank level: Middle
Adult size: 7 cm
GH: 2 dGH - 15 dGH
KH: n/a
TDS: n/a
Conductivity: n/a

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

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