All fish / Acestrorhamphidae

White-lined tetra

Hyphessobrycon albolineatus

Also known as hyphessobrycon albolineatum, autana tetra

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This is a tiny, slim tetra from the Autana River in southern Venezuela, reaching only about 2.6 cm in standard length. The name points to a pale line along the flank. It is mainly of interest to specialist characin keepers, as it is very rarely seen in the trade.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

2.6 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

5.5 to 7

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 10 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small live and frozen foods such as daphnia and baby brine shrimp, plus fine flake and micro pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 4 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Venezuela: Autana River, Orinoco basin

Breeding

Like most small Hyphessobrycon tetras, it probably scatters its eggs among fine plants and gives no parental care. There are no confirmed reports of captive breeding, but soft, acidic water and removing the adults after spawning would be a sensible starting point.

Good to know

Very little is known about this species in aquariums, and the care figures here are estimates based on related blackwater tetras. Keep it only with very small, peaceful tankmates. Its official name is spelled albolineatus, so traded fish under this name may be wrongly identified.