All fish / Acestrorhamphidae

Balbus tetra

Hyphessobrycon balbus

Also known as psalidodon balbus, astyanax balbus, balbus tetra

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A small, deep-bodied silvery tetra from Brazil described by Myers in 1927, with a faint shoulder mark and slightly tinted fins. It is rarely seen in shops and mainly kept by enthusiasts of wild characins who want a hardy, active shoaling fish for a planted community tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small flakes, micro pellets, frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil (inland river basins)

Breeding

It scatters eggs over fine plants or spawning mops and gives no parental care, so the adults should be removed after spawning. Breeding in captivity is not well documented, but it is probably similar to other Hyphessobrycon species and not especially difficult.

Good to know

Captive care data for this species is limited, so the figures given are based on similar small Hyphessobrycon tetras. It is still valid in Hyphessobrycon, and the name 'Psalidodon balbus' some sellers use is incorrect.