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Smallscale hemiodus

Hemiodus microlepis

Also known as Silver hemiodus microlepis

FreshwaterFish

Smallscale hemiodus (Hemiodus microlepis)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–84°F
24–29°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
11 in
28 cm
Minimum tank
159 gal
600 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Hemiodontidae
Origin
Amazon and Orinoco basins

Overview

The smallscale hemiodus is a big, restless schooling characin for the open middle of a very large tank. It is a fish for experienced keepers.

Did you know

The smallscale hemiodus and its relatives keep teeth only in the upper jaw, with none in the lower. They scrape and graze using just the top half of the mouth. That odd setup named the whole family, since Hemiodus means halftooth.

Caring for the smallscale hemiodus

The smallscale hemiodus patrols the open middle water at speed, so it needs a long tank with plenty of clear swimming room. A group needs a large tank of about 159 gal (600 L) or more. It uses the whole length of the tank, so leave the swimming lanes open rather than filling them with hardscape. Give it a sandy bottom, high oxygen and a gentle to brisk current.

Hold the water soft and warm, at 75 to 84°F (24 to 29°C), with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. It grazes and micro-feeds by day. Offer sinking foods, frozen items and some vegetable matter.

It only settles in a crowd, so keep at least six together. On its own it stays skittish and dashes about. Share the tank with other calm, good-sized fish rather than tiny tank mates. Breeding is not recorded in aquaria.

Good to know

Hemiodus microlepis belongs to Hemiodontidae, the halftooths. Its species name means small-scaled, for the fine scaling that gives it a smooth silver sheen.

In the wild

The smallscale hemiodus ranges through open water in the Amazon and Orinoco basins. It moves in shoals along sandy river reaches.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The smallscale hemiodus is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a smallscale hemiodus need?

A smallscale hemiodus needs at least 159 gal (600 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a smallscale hemiodus need?

A smallscale hemiodus is comfortable at 75–84°F (24–29°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a smallscale hemiodus eat?

A smallscale hemiodus grazes and micro-feeds by day. Offer it sinking foods, frozen items and some vegetable matter.

How big does a smallscale hemiodus get?

An adult smallscale hemiodus reaches about 11 in (28 cm).

Does a smallscale hemiodus need a group?

Yes. A smallscale hemiodus is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a smallscale hemiodus breed?

Smallscale hemiodus breeding is not recorded in aquaria.

Related species