Flame tetra
📖 Overview
Inhabits small streams of slow flowing, dark-brown or clear water, shaded by small forests. Occurs also in small streams with clear water and sandy bottom. Prefers habitats with vegetation and streams with slow flowing water, living in depths not superior to 50 c and water temperature from 22°-28°C. Forms relatively numerous schools with agonistic interaction among alpha males. Feeds on small insects, worms and plants. Female lays around 200 to 330 oocytes on rocks, plants, or submerged debris; after that, the male releases the sperm for fertilization. The eggs hatch in about 2-3 days. Longevity is around four years . In tank, female lays 200 to 300 eggs which hatch in 2 to 3 days . Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 60 cm .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 12; Anal soft rays: 24 - 29; Vertebrae: 31 - 32. Hyphessobrycon flammeus is distinguished from other congeners (except H. bifasciatus, H. balbus, H. chocoensis, H. columbianus, H. condotensis, H. griemi, H. igneus, H. itaparicensis, H. panamensis, H. savagei, H. sebastiani, H. tortuguerae, and H. weitzmanorum) by having two humeral spots vertically elongated and lacking caudal peduncle blotch. It can be diagnosed from aforementioned species by having 5-8 maxillary teeth (vs. 1-3 in H. balbus, 1-2 in H. bifasciatus and H. igneus, 3 in H. condotensis and H. panamensis, 2-3 in H. griemi, 1-4 in H. savagei, 2 in H. chocoensis and H. sebastiani, 9-10 in H. tortuguerae), caudal fin hyaline (vs. caudal fin with black median stripe in H. weitzmanorum), no longitudinal stripe dark and second humeral spot conspicuous as well as first humeral spot (vs. faint longitudinal stripe dark and second humeral spot less defined than first in H. weitzmanorum) . : elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Flame tetra is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 5.8 - 7.8; dH range: 5 - 25; depth range 0 - ? m . Tropical; 22°C - 28°C South America: Brazil in streams and coastal rivers of Rio de Janeiro, in Guanabara bay basin, middle rio Paraíba do Sul basin and rio Guandu basin, and upper rio Tietê drainage (upper rio Paraná basin, São Paulo) (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
small insects, worms and plants
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Hyphessobrycon Flammeus is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Flame tetra is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Flame tetra has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Flame tetra.
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Flame tetra ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.