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Bleeding Heart Tetra

Bleeding Heart Tetra, Spotfin Tetra

Family: CharacidaeHyphessobrycon erythrostigmaPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   A blotch of bright red color on its side, often in the shape of a heart. gives the Bleeding Heart Tetra its memorable name!

   The Bleeding Heart Tetra or Spotfin Tetra is a stocky built vivacious little fish from the swift moving streams of the Amazon. It does best with when kept with a school of its own kind, and once established in a shoal, will show off deep body colors ranging from beige-orange  to a silvery lavender.

   This fish requires at least a fifteen gallon tank with water conditions kept optimal. The Bleeding Heart Tetra will show its best colors if secure, so provide dark gravel and subtle lighting. This along with floating plants, a balance of hiding places, and some open swimming space will keep it happy. Given time to acclimate to its environment in peace, its colors will become more developed.  

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Habitat: Distribution / Background

   The Bleeding Heart Tetra or Spotfin Tetra was described by Fowler in 1943. They are found through Columbia and Peru, where they inhabit the many densely vegetated little creeks and river bends of the Upper Amazon They are primarily still collected from the wild.

• Scientific Name: Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma
• Social Grouping: Groups
• IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed

Description

   The Bleeding Heart Tetra is a stockily built tetra species. It has body colors ranging from a beige-orange  to a silvery lavender. Their most distinguishing characteristic and their namesake is derived from a blotch of bright red color on its side, often in the shape of a heart.

• Maximum Size: 3.5 inches (8.89 cm) - They may reach up to 3.5 inches in the wild, although sizes upwards of 2.75 are basically unheard of in home aquaria.

Fish Keeping Difficulty

• Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy
• Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

Foods and Feeding

   Since they are omnivorous the Bleeding Heart Tetra or Spotfin Tetra requires a varied diet. It will happily eat most appropriately sized commercial aquarium food in addition to live aquarium foods and chopped blanched lettuce leaves. Live or freeze dried blood worms will be greatly appreciated.
   This fish also requires a more established tank, so wait at least 3 months before adding them to a new system. Clean water is vital as it is very sensitive to ammonia. If water quality deteriorates, the fish will often die of diseases like ich and fungus.

• Diet Type: Omnivore
• Flake Food: Yes
• Tablet Pellet: Yes
• Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
• Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
• Meaty Food: Some of Diet
• Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day

Aquarium Care

• Water Changes: Bi-weekly

Aquarium Setup

   Temp: 73 - 82° F (23 - 28° C)
   Hardness: 3 -12° dGH
   Ph: 5.6 - 7.2 (wild caught) 6.6 - 7.8 (tank bred)

• Minimum Tank Size: 15 gal (57 L)
• Substrate Type: Any
• Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
• Temperature: 73.0 - 82.0° F (22.8 - 27.8° C)
• Range ph: 6.6-7.8 - Wild caught specimens should be kept within the range of 5.6 - 7.2
• Hardness Range: 3 - 12 dGH
• Brackish: No
• Water Movement: Moderate
• Water Region: All - The Bleeding Heart Tetra inhabits all areas of the tank, but tends to favor the middle region.

Social Behaviors

   The Bleeding Heart Tetra is generally a peaceful community fish, however there are occasionally boisterous individuals. They can be kept in large schools and will do best if kept in a school of at least 6 individuals. This fish will generally get along amongst its own kind, and will often school with its relatives, the Black Widow and Albino Tetra. They can also be kept in pairs along with other peaceful fish. Keep fin nippers out of their tanks as the males have fairly large delicate fins. In addition, this fish can be easily spooked into hiding so situate the tank appropriately.

• Venomous: No
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Same species - conspecifics: Yes
• Peaceful fish (): Safe
• Semi-Aggressive (): Threat
• Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive

Sex: Sexual differences

   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 / Reproduction

   The breeding process for the Bleeding Heart Tetra is difficult in home aquaria but not impossible. Females will often ignore males. If fish do breed, eggs will be laid among floating plants. Parents must be removed immediately following fertilization. Within 5 days free swimming fry will emerge from the plants. After this 1/3 of the water must be changed daily, and fry must be fed with small live and crushed dry foods. Unfortunately, few fry often survive to adulthood.
   See a general description of how to breed these fish in Breeding Freshwater Fish and Fish Food for Fry for more information.

• Ease of Breeding: Difficult

Availability

   The Bleeding Heart Tetra or Spotfin Tetra is readily available. It can be obtained from most fish and pet stores, as well as online. Cost is generally around 1 - 4 US dollars per individual in a pet store, slightly more from the internet or mail order.

References

Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants

Author: Yvonne
Edited by Animal-World.

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• Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma : $2.99

Bleeding Heart Tetra Hyphessobrycon Erythrostigma Medium Offered By: That Pet Place Price: $3.99

Bleeding Heart Tetra Hyphessobrycon Erythrostigma Small Offered By: That Pet Place Price: $2.99

Lastest Comments on Bleeding Heart Tetra View all 4 comments on Bleeding Heart Tetra Add Your Comment

kevin lindstrom - 2011-05-29 I just want to say these are great fish but I did find one of mine with a little neon in his mouth the other morning. So make sure the fish you have are of same size. Charlie Roche - 2011-05-29 I am sorry. The Bleeding Hearts school really well with their own species. However, they do get large and a neon is just a little fella. Thanks for telling us all cuz we forget or don't remember - or in many cases just don't know. Thanks again. JG - 2012-01-16 Shocking. Bigger omivorous fish eat littler fish. Who'd a thunk it? Reply

Melisa - 2012-01-16 I just bought bleeding heart tetras from the Peter re last night. I was told that they would get along fine with my guppies, but they ate all the guppie babies... Melisa - 2012-01-16 *pet store Charlie Roche - 2012-01-16 It is difficult for many stores - especially the chain stores to actually know and have knowledge as to what fish can be with what fish. What size tank, food, diseases etc. You either need to find a true specialty fish pet store or do a lot of reading. I am sorry this happened to you and I am sorry the advice was wrong and I am also sorry there is really nothing you can do about it. Most people that work in these chains have limited or no knowledge of the fish/birds that are there. Reply

Sharon - 2007-04-29 I have 6 of these guys and they are indeed lovely and hardy fish. They do tend to hide behind my driftwood with the exception of 2 that love to zip around the tank. Great fish! Reply

J - 2006-05-21 This is a great fish! Great for community tanks WITHOUT fin-nippers. In our tank about 3 years ago, they were healthy, but something nipped their fins off. Back then we had goldfish, neon tetras, black skirt tetras, glowlight tetras, and a common pleco. Reply

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