Madre de Dios tetra

Hyphessobrycon nigricinctus

Also known as Black-belted tetra, Imperial Tetra

FreshwaterFish

Madre de Dios tetra (Hyphessobrycon nigricinctus) — The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–81°F (22–27°C)
pH: 5.5–7.2
Adult size: 1.6 in (4 cm)
Minimum tank: 15 gal (55 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Madre de Dios drainage, Peru
Family: Characidae

Overview

A peaceful schooling fish for softwater communities; keep six or more with pencilfish, apistos, or small corys. It accepts crushed flake, granules, and frozen daphnia or brine shrimp. Wild imports settle fastest in dim, botanical-stained water.

In the wild

Known from the Madre de Dios drainage in southeastern Peru, this tetra inhabits soft forest streams in one of the most biodiverse corners of the Amazon. Keep it warm and soft, 22 to 27 degrees Celsius at pH 5.5 to 7.2, under subdued light.

Good to know

Hyphessobrycon nigricinctus was described by Zarske and Gery in 2004; the name means black-belted, for the dark band that wraps its body. It reaches about 4 centimeters and still travels mostly under its locality name in trade lists.

Did you know

Its home basin borders Manu National Park, a reserve so rich that scientists routinely describe new fish from streams a day's walk from ranger stations.

Tank mates

Madre de Dios tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.