Fourspot hemiodus

Hemiodus quadrimaculatus

Also known as Barred hemiodus

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
pH: 5.5–7.0
Adult size: 6.3 in (16 cm)
Minimum tank: 106 gal (400 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Guiana Shield rivers
Family: Hemiodontidae

Overview

This is an active, open-water schooling characin, so keep it in a group of six or more; single fish turn nervous and skittish. It is a peaceful, fast swimmer that spends most of its time cruising the middle of the tank, so give it length and a group of calm, similarly active companions rather than slow or tiny fish it might unsettle. Feed it well, as it takes both greens and meaty foods: offer sinking vegetable flake or blanched vegetables alongside frozen bloodworm and daphnia. It is a strong jumper, so a tight cover is essential. A group needs a long tank of around 400 liters or more.

In the wild

The fourspot hemiodus lives in clear, flowing rivers of the Guiana Shield, moving in shoals over sand in open, well-oxygenated water. Recreate that with a long tank, a sandy floor, some water movement, and high oxygen levels. Keep the water soft and warm, from about 24 to 28 C, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Open swimming lanes matter more than heavy planting for a fish built to cruise.

Good to know

Hemiodus quadrimaculatus belongs to Hemiodontidae, the halftooths, a South American family of streamlined open-water characins. It reaches about 16 centimeters, with a silver body marked by dark blotches along the flank. Like others in the family it is a daytime grazer and micro-feeder rather than a predator. Its breeding has not been recorded in aquaria, and imports are wild-caught adults.

Did you know

The species name quadrimaculatus means four-spotted, a nod to the dark marks along its silver side. It is also a keen jumper that can leap clear of the water, so a well-fitted lid is not optional.