Black Heart Tetra - Hyphessobrycon copelandi Fish Profile & Care Guide
Introduction
Black Heart Tetras (Hyphessobrycon copelandi) are prized for their striking colours and tranquil disposition, making them highly sought after despite their rarity in the aquarium trade. With their adaptable nature and ability to coexist with a variety of tankmates, they appeal to both novice and seasoned aquarists alike. When provided with suitable tank conditions and a balanced diet, these Tetras can display their vibrant hues and flourish in a community aquarium environment. It's worth noting that hard water may hinder their colouration potential, so ensuring water conditions are conducive to their needs is essential for optimal health and beauty.
Ensuring the well-being of your Black Heart Tetras involves maintaining them in groups of at least six individuals. This not only promotes their overall health but also creates a visually appealing shoal, enhancing their sense of security. Moreover, having multiple male Black Heart Tetras in the group may lead to captivating displays of fin flaring, adding to the intrigue of your aquarium environment.
Black Heart Tetras thrive when housed with other small and peaceful species, creating a harmonious community aquarium environment. Suitable tankmates may include Corydoras Catfish, Hatchetfish, smaller Loricariidae, Rasboras, small to medium-sized Barbs, Anabantoids, and West African Dwarf Cichlids. Their adaptable nature also allows them to coexist with larger Cichlids like Discus and Angelfish, provided the latter are not overly aggressive. However, it's essential to avoid pairing them with significantly larger or more boisterous species that may cause distress. Additionally, while generally peaceful, Black Heart Tetras may nip at the fins of long-finned fish such as guppies and Siamese Fighting Fish, so careful consideration of tankmates is advised.
To ensure the optimal care of Black Heart Tetras, it is recommended to create a suitable aquarium environment. This includes furnishing the tank with dark decors, such as ample bogwood and dense planting along the sides and background, while leaving open spaces in the middle for free swimming. Dim lighting can be achieved by incorporating floating plants. While these tetras are adaptable to different conditions, they exhibit their finest appearance in soft, acidic water. Furthermore, it is essential for the aquarium environment to be biologically matured to adequately support the health and well-being of these fish.
Black Heart Tetras are characterized by their elongated grey body colouration, featuring a subtle black humeral spot. Additionally, these tetras display a distinctive dorsal fin adorned with black and white patterning, accompanied by white edging on both their ventral and anal fins.
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Photos
Sexual Dimorphism
Distinguishing between male and female Black Heart Tetras is relatively straightforward. As Rosy Tetras mature, males typically develop elongated anal and dorsal fins, along with a larger, sleeker, and more vivid physical appearance compared to females.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Hyphessobrycon copelandi |
|---|---|
| Year Described | 1908 |
| Other Names | Feather Tetra, Copeland's Tetra |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Characiformes |
| Family | Characidae |
| Genus | Hyphessobrycon |
| Origins | Brazil French Guiana |
| Approx Max Size | 5 cm |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Middle - Top |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Best kept as | Groups 6+ |
| Diet & Feeding | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Scatterer |
| Average Lifespan | Up to 5 Years |
Water Parameters
| Water Type | Freshwater |
|---|---|
| pH | 5.5 - 7.5 |
| GH | 1 - 12 |
| ℉ | 75 - 82 |
|---|---|
| ℃ | 24 - 28 |
Natural Habitat
Black Heart Tetras originate from the basins of the Tocantins, Solimões, Mana, and Approuague Rivers, located in Brazil and French Guiana. They predominantly occupy the tranquil waters or areas of creeks characterized by opposing currents. These species are frequently encountered in the riverine upstream sections, especially in zones preceding waterfalls.
Breeding
To facilitate successful breeding and maximize fry production of Black Heart Tetras, a dedicated breeding tank is essential. This tank should ideally feature subdued lighting and be outfitted with clusters of fine-leaved plants, such as java moss or spawning mops, to serve as spawning substrates. Alternatively, a mesh bottom with appropriately sized holes to allow eggs to pass through while preventing adult access can also be employed.
Creating an optimal spawning environment requires maintaining soft, acidic water conditions, with a pH ranging between 5.5 and 6.5, water hardness between 1 and 5, and a temperature of 80 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Filtering the water through peat and utilizing RO water can aid in achieving these conditions, while a gentle current provided by a small air-powered sponge filter can be beneficial.
Ideally, a group consisting of half a dozen individuals of each sex is recommended for spawning. Conditioning the group with ample small live or frozen foods typically initiates spawning without issues. Alternatively, breeding in pairs can be conducted by conditioning females and males separately in different tanks. After selecting the most fecund female and the most vibrantly coloured male, transfer them to the breeding tank at night for spawning the following morning.
Due to the tendency of adult fish to consume their eggs, immediate separation of the eggs is crucial. Eggs typically hatch within 24 to 36 hours, with the fry becoming free-swimming approximately five days later. Providing the fry with infusoria-type food initially, before transitioning to brine shrimp nauplii or microworms, is recommended. Additionally, maintaining a dark environment in the tank during the early stages of egg development and fry rearing is advantageous, as both eggs and fry are sensitive to light.
Diet & Feeding
Catering to the dietary needs of Black Heart Tetras within an aquarium setting is a relatively straightforward endeavor, as they exhibit no excessive dietary preferences. Nonetheless, it is paramount to provide them with a diet that is nutritionally comprehensive to support their overall health and vitality. Their dietary regimen should include premium dried food options, such as flakes, micropellets, and granules, in addition to live and frozen variants like bloodworms, white mosquito larvae, daphnia, and brine shrimp enhanced with vitamins. The incorporation of a diverse array of food sources is crucial to ensure the acquisition of vital nutrients necessary for optimal growth and health.
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Published: 14 Feb 2024
Last Updated: 14 Feb 2024