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The
“Minor Tetra”, “Hyphessobrycon minor”,
is one of a group of similar fish species in the genus Hyphessobrycon. When we
first got ours, my wife’s reaction was that they looked like the Rosy Tetras, Hyphessobrycon rosaceus. My first reaction was to note the similarity
to our Red Phantom Tetras, Hyphessobrycon
sweglesi,
but on further consideration, they are very similar to the Serpae Tetras, Hyphessobrycon eques.
This makes sense because one of the alternative names for the Serpae
Tetra is the Red Minor Tetra. In fact the main difference between the
Minor Tetra and the Serpae Tetra is that the Serpae Tetras have more red on
their
bodies. There are also some differences
in fin shape between the two species, but these are not even consistent
within
each species. I would not be able to
reliably separate these two species. Of
course we keep ours in different aquariums.
Another name for the Minor Tetra is the "Lesser Serpae."
Origin
The
Minor Tetra is native to the Essequibo
River in Guyana
in South America, while the Serpae Tetra is native to the Rivers Amazon
and Paraguay, so in
the wild these two very similar species appear to be separate so they
would not
interbreed. I have no information about
whether they would interbreed in captivity and whether or not the
progeny would
be fertile. As a scientist I consider that this information would be
interesting, but as an aquarist and conservationist, I think
interspecific hybrids of this nature are best avoided.
Size
The Minor
Tetra will grow to about 3.2 centimetres (1.2 inches). This makes it one of the smaller tetras.
Feeding
The Minor
Tetra is an omnivore and will eat all normal fish foods including flakes,
pellets, frozen food and live food.
Their favourite is small live crustaceans like Daphnia and Cyclops as
well as Mosquito larvae.
Water Conditions
The Minor
Tetra is suited to a pH between 6.5 and 7.6.
This means that it is more adapted to slightly alkaline water than most
South American tetras. It is also
another difference between the Minor Tetra and the Serpae Tetra. A temperature of between 23 degrees C (73
degrees F) and 27 degrees C (81 degrees F) is suitable for maintenance although
this fish will survive a little outside this range. Moderate hardness is not a problem.
Companions
The Minor
tetra is well suited to a tropical community aquarium with a temperature of 24 Degrees
C (74 degrees F) and a neutral pH. My
observations suggest that it is less aggressive than the Serpae Tetra, but I
would suggest caution with the choice of companions for this fish. I would avoid all long finned, slow swimming
fish like Guppies and Siamese Fighting Fish.
An adult Minor
Tetra would be all right with all the tetras and all the smaller barbs and Danios, as well as all the Corydoras catfish like the Peppered Catfish. Naturally, avoid putting the small fish with large aggressive fish.
Availability
The Minor
Tetra is not always available, but if it is around, it is not necessarily
expensive.
Sexing
The dorsal fin
of the males is more pointed than that of the females. The female is also slightly more rounded than
the males.
Breeding
Information
about breeding this fish seems to be lacking, but experience with similar fish
suggest that it is an easily bred egg scatterer.
Pest Fish
As with all
pets, do not release your fish to the wild.
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