Bleeding heart tetra

This article does not cite any sources. Please help by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources:  –  ·  ·  · scholar · JSTOR (March 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Bleeding heart tetra
Male
Scientific classification
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. It grows to the size of 64mm and lives for around five years.

Sexing[]

The female is more full bodied and the male has a larger dorsal fin. 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.

Breeding in captivity[]

This egg-laying fish has been bred successfully, with difficulty, in captivity.

Appearance[]

The dorsal fin of the males can become long and flowing. 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.

Aquarium care[]

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.

See also[]

• List of freshwater aquarium fish species

References[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma.