Family Characidae ( Characidae )
Group of uncertain status ( Incertae Sedis )
Genus Hyphessobrycon.
Continued…
— Red Frame Tetra, Tetra Von Rio — Hyphessobrycon flammeus [Myers, 1924]. (Eng. Red Frame Tetra, Tetra Von Rio). Brazil, surrounding water bodies of Rio de Janeiro. Females length 4.5 cm, males 3.5 cm. High-bodied fish with a wide body strongly tapering towards the caudal fin. The eye is colored bright turquoise, crossed by a black stripe. General coloration is dark pink with a soft golden shimmer on the scales.
The coloration of the fish depends to a very large extent on the environment; only under good conditions, with top lighting, and in a calm state do they color in saturated pink-red tones, seemingly glowing in incident light. At the slightest fright and under improper maintenance conditions, the coloration loses much of its charm.
The rear part of the body is pink to bright red, the front part is silvery or light golden, and the belly is yellowish. Behind the gill cover, there are 2-3 consecutive equal-sized transverse elongated brownish-black stripes up to 3 mm wide, not reaching the back and belly, with a golden shiny spot between them. The caudal peduncle in the lower part is reddish, matching the color of the anal fin.
All fins, except the colorless pectoral and adipose fins, are bright red, almost carmine; the body in the region of the caudal fin is similarly colored. The dorsal fin is transparent, pinkish, with a black border. Ventral and anal fins are red, in the male – blood-red with a thin black rim. Pectoral and adipose fins are yellowish or colorless. The caudal fin is reddish, and the front rays of the dorsal fin are milky-white.
In the male, the tips of the ventral fins are black, the caudal fin is colorless, and in the female, it is pink. In males, the red color on the fins turns into brick-red. The edges of the anal fin are decorated with a dark narrow rim, which becomes black during spawning. The anal fin makes it possible to distinguish the sex of the fish: in males, it is wider with a distinct black border; in females, it is slightly concave, and the border is rarely visible. In females, the belly is yellow-silvery.
Peaceful, should be kept in a school, can live alongside small characins. Occupies the middle layers of water. A solitary fish claims a territory and becomes quarrelsome. Only under good conditions and in a calm state are they bright and beautiful. Dense vegetation, dark substrate, and shaded areas enhance the colors. Open swimming spaces in the water column and near the front glass must be provided.
In a calm state, the fish playfully chase each other and other fish. Demanding of water purity, they feel better and spawn more successfully in soft water with a neutral reaction. They feel well in medium-hard water. Frequent water changes negatively affect the condition of the fish. A large amount of decaying organic debris is also detrimental: they become restless, lose their appetite, and try to jump out of the aquarium.
Fish eat all types of live foods as long as they are not too large. The brightness of the red coloration depends on balanced nutrition and the amount of vitamins in the feed. Females mature at 6-8 months of age, males at 8-12 months. This is one of the easiest species of the genus Hyphessobrycon to breed in an aquarium. Eggs are spawned in clumps of fine-leaved plants, on which they hang, as if glued, remaining in this position until larvae hatch. Life span is 4-5 years. pH 6.0-7.5; dH 8-12°; T 20-24°C.
Identification: Red Frame Tetra — Hyphessobrycon flammeus.
— Goldspotted Rio Tetra, Griem’s Tetra — Hyphessobrycon griemi [Hoedeman, 1957]. Synonym: Hyphessobrycon flammeus guabirubae. (Eng. Goldspotted Rio Tetra, Griem’s Tetra). Brazil. 4 cm. The main body background is brown. The back of the fish is olive-brown, the front part of the body from the gill covers to the level of the first rays of the dorsal fin is silvery-white, behind the gill covers there are two wedge-shaped black spots on a golden background (in old fish they fade).
The rear part of the body, when excited, turns dark red. Near the head, there is a golden spot shimmering in reflected light. From the last dark wedge-shaped spot along the midline, a red stripe extends, turning into the red color of the caudal fin. The rays of the dorsal, anal, and ventral fins are pink.
Males are smaller, more active, and slimmer than females. In males, a bright dark edge along the margin of the dorsal, anal, and ventral fins turns into a blue rim. The fins of females are colored less intensely and lack the dark edge. In females, the dorsal and anal fins are more rounded and paler. A flat belly line allows reliable identification of males starting from 3 months of age.
The body and coloration (less bright) resemble Hyphessobrycon flammeus; the difference is a shiny bluish spot on the flank, bordered on both sides by smaller dark spots, and the anal fin edged with a milky-white margin. Recently, hybrid forms – the result of crossing between these two tetras – have become increasingly common.
Extremely peaceful, calm fish, recommended for all community aquariums. Schooling, keep in small groups with good vegetation and driftwood on a dark substrate so the fish feel safer. Keeps in the middle layers of water. Lighting is weak, diffused. Water hardness and active reaction play a major role; total water hardness should be maintained at 10-12°, pH around 7. Demanding of water purity, adding fresh water is recommended. Poorly tolerate sudden environmental changes.
Like some others, these fish show their full coloration in soft, slightly acidic water under dim lighting. Diet includes live, frozen food, and flakes. Reaches sexual maturity at 8-12 months of age. Fish spawn well on finely divided plants. At two and a half months, the fry acquire a pinkish-silver color. They begin to differ by sex at 4-5 months of age. T 22-26°C; dH 2-12°; pH 5.5-7.0.
— Crystal Red Tetra — Hyphessobrycon haraldschultzi [Travassos, 1960]. Synonym: Hemigrammus haraldschultzi. (Eng. Crystal Red Tetra). Southern Brazil. 3.5 cm. Aquarium with plants along the perimeter, driftwood, leaving open swimming space in the middle. Peaceful, schooling species. Keep in a school of 6-10 individuals. Occupy the middle and lower water layers. Dim light using floating plants to bring out the fish colors. Live food, as well as flakes and pellets. T 22-26°C; pH 6.5-7.5; dH 6-15°.
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi, heterorhabdus, heliacus.
Hyphessobrycon elachys, eos, epicharis, erythrostigma. 
