Kitty Tetra (Hyphessobrycon loweae)
The Kitty Tetra is a very colourful and elegant fish that has become increasingly popular in the aquarium hobby in recent years. These Tetras are one of the smaller Tetras. The Kitty Tetra is shy and likes a shady, well-planted tank. However, they can be slightly nippy towards slow-moving tank mates.
Kitty Tetras have a peaceful temperament and mixes well with other mild fish. It would be best if you kept these Tetras in groups of at least six individuals as they are a shoaling species in nature. Keeping males in mixed-sex groups with plenty of females will bring out their best colours and behaviour.
The Kitty Tetras have a yellowish-gold body and display a black eyespot on the caudal peduncle followed by two smaller white spots either side. They also have a little red area at the top of each eye, and their fins are relatively transparent.
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| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hyphessobrycon loweae |
| Year Described | 1994 |
| Other Names | Lowe's Tetra |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Characiformes |
| Family | Characidae |
| Genus | Hyphessobrycon |
| Origins | Brazil, Peru |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Middle - Top |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Best kept as | Groups 6+ |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Scatterer |
| Lifespan | 2 - 5 years |
| Water Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| PH | 5.5 - 7.5 |
| GH | 4 - 12 |
| Temperature | |
|---|---|
| 75 - 82℉ 23.9 - 27.8℃ | |
Natural Habitat
Feeding
In the home aquarium, the Kitty Tetra will readily accept most good quality dried foods such as granules, flakes and sinking pellets. These modern food products have been developed to provide all adequate nutrition to maintain your fish's health and dietary requirements.
Providing additional foodstuffs such as live, frozen, and freeze-dried meals such as bloodworm, daphnia, and tubifex once or twice a week will provide additional benefits to your fish's health and well-being but is not a must for this fish.
It should be noted that bloodworms should only be given as an occasional treat and should not be used as the staple diet as they are difficult for fish to digest and can potentially cause blockages.
This fish is an omnivore in the wild, meaning it will consume some vegetable matter. Although most modern fish foods take this into account and include them in their products, you can still supplement your fish's diet with blanched vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and zucchini. Ensure you do not overfeed your fish and remove any leftovers the following day.
Sexual Dimorphism
Once Kitty Tetras reach sexual maturity, it is relatively easy to differentiate between males and females. In adulthood, both sexes turn yellowish-gold, but males have more orangey-red on their flanks and fins. A male will also be slightly larger than a female and have a widened, hooked anal fin and a widely extended dorsal fin. The pelvic and anal fins of males are also longer and more colourful than those of females.