Slender hemiodus
Hemiodus gracilis
Also known as Gracile hemiodus, Slender hemiodus tetra, Red tail hemiodus
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–82°F
- 23–28°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 7.1 in
- 18 cm
- Minimum tank
- 66 gal
- 250 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Hemiodontidae
- Origin
- Native to the Amazon basin and the Guianas in northern South America.
Overview
The slender hemiodus is a fast, nervous schooling fish for the middle of a long tank. It is a fair choice once you have kept a few easier fish.
Did you know
The slender hemiodus is built like a torpedo and is one of the faster swimmers in the aquarium. It can cover the length of a big tank in a blink.
Caring for the slender hemiodus
Give the slender hemiodus a long tank of at least 66 gal (250 L), with open swimming lanes. It jumps, so fit a tight lid. Keep the water warm, soft and well oxygenated, at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
Keep it in a group of six or more, so it feels secure and stays in the open. It is peaceful and best matched with other active, non-aggressive fish.
Good to know
Hemiodus gracilis is a slim, silvery fish in the family Hemiodontidae. It is marked with a dark spot on the side and a stripe running into the lower tail lobe. Adults are built for constant swimming.
In the wild
The slender hemiodus is native to the Amazon basin and the Guianas in northern South America. It lives in clear, flowing rivers and streams, often over sand in open water, and moves in active shoals.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The slender 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.
Bolivian ram
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
Freshwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 45 gal (170 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Blue acara
Andinoacara pulcher
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Yoyo loach
Botia almorhae
Freshwater6.3 in (16 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)66–81°F (19–27°C)
Cascarudo
Callichthys callichthys
Freshwater7.9 in (20 cm) · 63 gal (240 L)66–81°F (19–27°C)
Largescale four-eyed fish
Anableps anableps
FreshwaterBrackish11.8 in (30 cm) · 70 gal (265 L)77–88°F (25–31°C)
Peruvian royal whiptail
Sturisoma nigrirostrum
Freshwater8.7 in (22 cm) · 66 gal (250 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a slender hemiodus need?
A slender hemiodus needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a slender hemiodus need?
A slender hemiodus is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.5.
How big does a slender hemiodus get?
An adult slender hemiodus reaches about 7.1 in (18 cm).
Does a slender hemiodus need a group?
Yes. A slender hemiodus is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
6.3 in (16 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Fourspot hemiodus
Hemiodus quadrimaculatus
6.3 in (16 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)
11 in (28 cm)159 gal (600 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)Smallscale hemiodus
Hemiodus microlepis
11 in (28 cm) · 159 gal (600 L)
- 11.8 in (30 cm)159 gal (600 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)
False hemiodus
Argonectes longiceps
11.8 in (30 cm) · 159 gal (600 L)
7.5 in (19 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)Fowler's hemiodus
Bivibranchia fowleri
7.5 in (19 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)
7.1 in (18 cm)20 gal (75 L)59–73°F (15–23°C)Fantail
Carassius auratus
7.1 in (18 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
7.1 in (18 cm)25 gal (95 L)61–75°F (16–24°C)Lionhead
Carassius auratus
7.1 in (18 cm) · 25 gal (95 L)