Montags Tetra (Hyphessbrycon montagi)
Montag's Tetras are a relatively new species of Tetra. They are a very peaceful and active species making them an ideal resident of the well-researched community aquarium.
Montag's Tetras are best kept in groups of at least eight individuals alongside other schooling fish to provide security as well as provide a more natural-looking display. Of course, on the odd occasion, you may find your fish arguing amongst themselves in a group. Still, as long as your aquarium is spacious and there are plenty of visual barriers or hiding places for them to retreat into if required, no actual harm should follow.
Tankmates should be of similar size and peaceful temperament; these can include other small Tetras, Hatchetfish, Pencilfish, non-predatory, small to medium-sized Cichlids, Corydoras Catfish, Dwarf Barbs and Loricariids.
These Tetras will look best in an arrangement comprising a sandy substrate and some driftwood roots and branches, although they will also thrive in a well-planted set-up.
Adding dried leaf litter would further accentuate the natural feel. It will also offer additional cover for the fish and bring the growth of microbe colonies as decomposition occurs.
Montag's Tetras have a brownish colour on the top half of their body and a greyish black lower body. These Tetras have two distinct humeral spots that are connected by a dark lateral body stripe. The first humeral spot is rather large and is surrounded by silver, and the second is slightly smaller and black. These fish also possess a narrow longitudinal straight red line starting from just above the first blotch on the lateral area, continuing down to the caudal peduncle. In addition, these fish have red colouration on the upper half of their eye, and all their fins are transparent except for the pelvic fin, which is a yellow colour.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hyphessbrycon montagi |
| Other Names | Barbel Tetra |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Characiformes |
| Family | Characidae |
| Genus | Hyphessobrycon |
| Origins | Brazil |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Middle - Top |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Best kept as | Groups 8+ |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Scatterer |
| Lifespan | 3 - 5 years |
| Water Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| PH | 5.0 - 7.0 |
| GH | 3 - 15 |
| TDS | 18 - 143 |
| Temperature | |
|---|---|
| 73 - 82℉ 22.8 - 27.8℃ | |
Photos of the Montags Tetra
Natural Habitat
The Montag's Tetra is endemic to the headwaters of the Rio Arapiuns, Rio Branco and Rio Aruã in the lower Rio Tapajos basin, as well as a small direct tributary of the Rio Amazonas in Para state, in Brazil in South America. They inhabit moderately flowing clear water streams in flooded forest areas. The substrate usually contains sand, pebbles and mud and is covered in leaf litter and submerged logs.
What to feed the Montags Tetra
In nature, Montag's Tetras are omnivorous and feed on crustaceans, small invertebrates, fallen fruit, algae and suchlike. Therefore, these Tetras could probably survive on a diet of good quality dried foods such as flakes and granules in the home aquarium. However, like most fish, this species will fare much better when offered a varied diet containing live and frozen food such as bloodworm, Mosquito larvae, Daphnia, Moina and similar as well as dried food.
How to sex the Montags Tetra
Montag's Tetras can be somewhat challenging to sex as there were no distinguishing differences between males and females. However, sexually mature females are probably noticeably rounder-bodied when carrying eggs.
How to breed the Montags Tetra
Montag's Tetras are relatively easy to breed, although a separate breeding tank will need to be set up if you want to increase the fry yield.
The breeding tank should be dimly lit and contain bundles of fine-leaved plants such as Java Moss. Spawning Mops can also work just fine, as would plastic grass-like matting, a layer of glass marbles or a mesh. These mediums will give your Tetras somewhere to scatter their eggs.
The water will need to have a slightly acidic to neutral pH with a marginally higher temperature than the community aquarium. It would be beneficial also to include an air-powered sponge filter or air stone to provide water movement and oxygenation.
You can spawn Montag's Tetras in a group, with half a dozen individuals of each sex being ideal. It would be best to condition them with plenty of live and frozen foods, and then spawning should not bestow too many problems.
Alternatively, you can spawn these fish in pairs. The best way to achieve this is to condition the male and female groups in separate tanks with a good-quality diet of live and frozen foods.
Once the females are full of eggs, and the males present their best colours, select the healthiest female and the best-coloured male and place them into the breeding tank. The couple should spawn the following morning.
In both situations, the adults will consume the eggs if given a chance, so it would be best to remove them as soon as you notice them. The eggs will typically hatch in around 24 to 36 hours, and the fry will start swimming freely 3 to 4 days after that.
It would be better to feed the fry with infusoria type foods for the first few days until they are big enough to accept baby brine shrimp and microworms. Unfortunately, the eggs and the fry are sensitive to light in the initial stages, so it would be better if you kept the lights dim or maybe even off.