Family Characidae ( Characidae )
Group of uncertain status ( Incertae Sedis )
Genus Hyphessobrycon — Hyphessobrycon.
To be continued…
— Savanna Tetra — Hyphessobrycon stegemanni [Gery, 1961]. Hemigrammus stegemanni. (Eng. Savanna Tetra). 3 cm. Brazil, Rio Tocantins river basin, grassy savanna region. The fish’s body is deep and significantly compressed laterally. Eyes are large, with a yellow iris, a red segment in the upper part, and a black pupil. The body of the fish is greenish, the back is olive-colored, and the belly is white. A black longitudinal stripe runs from the gills to the caudal fin, expanding in the “precaudal” zone into a black diamond-shaped spot, then narrowing again and dividing the tail into two sectors. Above it is a thin golden strip. The top and bottom of the tail base are white.
Fins are semi-transparent with a small amount of brown color. The side rays of the caudal fin lobes have a red tint, noticeably brighter in males and changing intensity depending on the lighting quality and the fish’s mood. The tips of the unpaired fins in males are extended into long filaments and decorated with a border. The caudal, dorsal, and anal fins have white edges.
Peaceful, schooling, can be kept with other peaceful species. Quite active and maneuverable. Males periodically rival each other. Aquarium with shelters in the form of dense groups of plants and free swimming space. They look better in a shaded aquarium. Frozen and live food of appropriate size are used for feeding. pH 6.0-7.0; dH 2-12°; T 23-28°C.
— Coffee Bean Tetra — Hyphessobrycon takasei [Gery, 1964]. (Eng. Coffee Bean Tetra). Brazil, upper reaches of the Macapá River in the Amazon delta. 4 cm. The main body background is light beige. The humeral spot, typical for fishes of this group, is very large, vertically oval, velvet-black. The shape and size of the spot are highly variable; moreover, the intensity of its coloration depends on the fish’s mood. A smaller black vertical spot passes through the eye.
The ventral and anal fins of males are brick or carrot-red, with the ventral fins being brighter. The anal fin in males is slightly notched, with a darkened edge and a white apex at the first ray. The caudal fin is red-brown. The dorsal fin is somewhat taller and narrower than in females, black, with a pink or red-brown somewhat blurred spot at the base of the anterior rays. At the top, the dorsal fin is crowned with an indistinct pink or whitish spot.
The humeral spot in females is larger and brighter. The anal and ventral fins are gray-brown, only the first rays are contrasting, ranging from carmine-red to milky-yellow. The dorsal fin is wider, and the bright milky-pink spots at the base and apex are noticeably larger and more contrasting.
They feature a tactful character, do not bother other aquarium inhabitants, and are compatible with any non-aggressive neighbors. Unpretentious regarding maintenance conditions, ideally suited for small aquariums landscaped as a tropical forest water body. It is better to keep fish in a school of 10-15 individuals. Prefers bright but diffused lighting. Likes to frolic in open spaces, but also needs shelters formed by thickets of aquatic flora placed along the perimeter of the tank. In soft water, the body color has a more creamy tone. Filtration, periodic water replacement with fresh water. T 22-26°C; dH up to 16°; pH 6.5-7.2.
— Vilma’s Tetra — Hyphessobrycon vilmae [Gery, 1966]. Brazil, upper reaches of the Rio Tapajós, Tapaiúna. 3-4 cm. The body is not as flat as in other Hyphessobrycon species, rather even rounded on the sides. The main decoration of these little fish is a tandem of stripes running along the center of the body along the lateral line: a shiny golden-orange and a black one. The first one starts almost at the snout and, passing through the eye, stretches to the root of the caudal fin. It is very bright (like in glowlight tetras).
Under it lies a wide dark band covering the upper part of the abdomen, in which, depending on the angle of incidence and light spectrum, purple, lilac, or violet colors dominate. Most often, the lilac hue manifests itself, which gave this little fish its common name. Fins are colorless, with barely noticeable milky tips.
Peaceful, very active fish, kept in a dense school. Aquarium with planted thickets and floating plants, but also with sufficient swimming space in the front. Dark substrate and shaded areas enhance the colors. Demanding on water purity. Medium hard water with a near-neutral active reaction. Water must be partially replaced with fresh water once every two weeks in small portions. They gladly eat various crustaceans, sludge worms, small bloodworms, and glassworms, but must be small. dH 8-12°; pH 6.8-7.0; T 22-24°C.
— Werner’s Tetra — Hyphessobrycon werneri [Gery & Uj, 1987]. Brazil, Rio Guamá river. 4 cm. Light brown body with a large oval black humeral spot, belly white. Caudal fin with reddish outer rays. Dorsal fin with a black spot in the center and a white spot on top and bottom. Anal fin with white tips. Other fins are colorless. With age, the back becomes high. In males, the dorsal fin is longer.
Peaceful, kept in a large school, males initiate small harmless skirmishes. Prefer dim lighting, dark substrate. Sensitive to poor water quality, so frequent water changes are important. Aquarium with dense vegetation and tree roots for shelters. Muted light using floating plants. Fed with small aquarium foods. pH 5.5-7.0; dH 1-15°; T 22-27°C.
Moenkhausia agnesae, ceros, collettii, cosmops, costae, dichroura.
Hyphessobrycon roseus, socolofi, scholzei, sweglesi. 
