All fish / Characidae

Condoto Tetra

Hyphessobrycon condotensis

Also known as condoto tetra, colombian tetra, hyphessobrycon condotensis

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This is a small, silvery tetra from Pacific-draining streams in western Colombia. It has a dark shoulder spot, a dark blotch at the base of the tail and reddish tints in the fins. It is rarely seen in shops, so people who keep it are usually characin enthusiasts looking for a hardy, peaceful 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 live and frozen foods such as daphnia and bloodworm, plus quality flakes and micro pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Colombia and Ecuador: Pacific slope drainages including the San Juan, Atrato and Condoto river basins

Breeding

It scatters its eggs over fine-leaved plants or spawning mops and does not look after them. Breeding is probably similar to other Hyphessobrycon species: use a separate tank with soft, slightly acidic water and take the adults out after spawning, because they will eat the eggs.

Good to know

It turns up only now and then in the trade, sometimes mixed in with other tetras, so it can be confused with similar Hyphessobrycon species that have a shoulder spot. The care figures here are general guidance for the genus and have not been checked against sources.