Tetras with a cherry spot

Introduction - the origin of the term "dew" teter

The designation "Rosy" tetra has been used in literature for years, based on the most common species of this group, which are tetras. Megalamphodus rosaceus (dříve označované jako Hyphessobrycon ornatus). In this group, there are about 30 closely or distantly related species of the former genus Hyphessobrycon. It is renamed according to the new revision toMegalamphodus. Some authors include representatives of original families in this group Pristella, Pseudopristella.

Taxonomic changes and their impact on aquaristics

Unfortunately, aquarists are affected by the unpleasant renaming of aquarium fish. Originally, they were called rasboras, then corydoras, and last year a group of 13 scientists published their conclusions after 6 years of work (which are still being worked on). For example, the originally phantom tetras known by the genus name Megalamphodus and subsequently renamed to Hyphessobrycon, are returning back to the original designationMegalamphodusI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that.

Proposal for practical division: group "teter with cherry spot" and "bentosi"

From an ichthyological perspective, the familial relationships between the individual genera of this group seem logical. From an aquarist's perspective, it seems more logical to create a narrower group of "rosy" tetras, which would include two circles of species. The first are the so-called tetras with a cherry spot, and the second are the members of the "bentosi" group. In both groups of these fish, there is a more or less pronounced red-pink coloration of the body, which is dominant and catches the observer's attention at first glance.

After all, for example Pristella maxillaris in a school kept in an aquarium, rather than attracting attention with its pink color, it creates the impression of an ordinary silvery fish. Representatives of the genus Pseudopristella are not common in aquaristics, we usually encounter them in imports, as so-called bycatch (Beifänge). Their breeding is still shrouded in mystery. The group of phantom tetras is different both in their behavior in aquariums and in their breeding methods.

In recent years, a whole range of imported fish has appeared, which are very similar and more or less resemble the previously mentioned fish. However, they have a whole range of differences, and one can only speculate that among these novelties there will be a number of "good" new species, as well as a number of colorful variants of already known inhabitants of our aquariums.

Tetrads with cherry spot - Description of individual species:

Three of the more than 30 described species of "rosy" tetras are known by the common name cherry spot tetras (German: Kirschflecksalmler) or bleeding-heart tetras. Their adult individuals are always larger than other "rosy" tetras and can be easily distinguished from one another by a common characteristic – a red spot in the middle of the body behind the pectoral fin. It is not yet known if this spot appears in other tetras.

The breeding of these fish is quite trouble-free, as long as we have larger (at least 100-liter) aquariums available.

The issue of breeding these fish is still shrouded in mystery. I do not know an aquarist who has demonstrably bred these fish.

1. Longfin tetra with a cherry spot. Perez's tetra.

This is a tetra that is an ornament of every large community aquarium. Especially adult males are beautifully colored with a noticeable elongated dorsal fin. They stand in groups in the aquarium. However, the calm is only apparent. In each such group, there is a strict hierarchy where each member must fight for their position.

For many years, only one representative of this group was known – in recent years, two more new species have been added to it.

First – Megalamphodus erythrostigmuswas first described in 1943 by Mr. Henry W. FOWLER.

Origin of the designation

Sometimes it is referred to as Perez's tetra, named after the owner of the export form who first brought the fish to world markets. It originates from the Amazon basin around Leticia and Tabatinga, where the borders of Brazil, Colombia, and Peru meet.

Despite this, it remained practically unknown until 1956, when it was rediscovered by the Dutch aquarist and ichthyologist J.J. HOEDEMANN from the Royal Museum in Amsterdam. He named this fish Hyphessobrycon rubrostigma. The final naming, however, was not achieved until 1972, when the French ichthyologist Dr. J. GÉRY stated that these are two identical names for one fish. He recommended using the first name. Following GÉRY's recommendation, in 1970, Prof. STERBA used the designation in his publication. Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma.

Although these are now quite common aquarium fish known from the 1950s and 1960s, they were only definitively identified in 1965 by Dr. J. GÉRY based on catches from Rio Preto made by Harald SCHULTZ.

Igarapé Preto is located about 60 km from the common borders of Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, and is part of the Rio Solimoes basin. Here the fish lives in small streams with black water in the company of common neon tetras, Paracheirodon innesi. Therefore, it can be inferred that similar conditions will apply to the breeding of both species. WEITZMAN (1997) attempted to breed the fish under conditions similar to those for the neon tetra, but unsuccessfully. BAENSCH and RIEHL (1992) state that breeding in captivity was unsuccessful. STERBA (1987) claims that breeding is easier with Hyphessobrycon socolofi and that similar conditions for breeding apply to both types. The fry can hatch within 24 hours, and after 48-60 hours we can observe swimming. However, these timeframes also depend on the water temperature. This species often shows considerable variability in intensity and hue of coloration. The best coloration is achieved over a dark sandy substrate; some photographers even use a black substrate directly.

Breeding

The dream of almost every aquarist who keeps this fish at home is its breeding. I believe that in the captivity has not yet led to successful breeding. At least not in the Czech Republic. In the past, we used carp pituitary for the attempt at reproduction, after which the fish repeatedly spawned. However, the eggs were not fertilized, shortly after spawning they turned white and became moldy.

The second attempt at the swab was then carried out as follows. I kept the fish in a 90-liter tank usually equipped with a sandy bottom, which was 2/3 covered with plants, mainly the brown water fern (Microsorum pteropus) and Java moss (Vesicularia dubyana).

Next to the flock Megalamphodus erythrostigmus (I placed two males – one dominant and the other submissive – and four females) in the aquarium about 8 guppies Poecilia reticulata). Gupies swam mostly below the surface and practically did not disturb the large tetra during their courtship. Rather, their carefree swimming provided a sense of security in the aquarium. These are circumstances familiar to many keepers of small South American cichlids, which lose their shyness in the presence of peacock eyes and breed more easily.

The fish spawned in a school, of course under these conditions and with the usual tap water in the aquarium, further development of the eggs did not occur again. However, I did not observe the actual spawning – due to my profession, I am at work from morning till evening. I only recognized the spawning by the fact that the filled females lost their original signs of fullness, a fuller belly, and tea-colored ovaries.

I believe that this is a way to breed these fish in captivity in the future. I lacked more patience and, above all, time. At that time, I had several new species at home that were successfully breeding, so I preferred to focus on them. However, when I repeated a similar attempt after some time and used a spawning grid instead of sand, no spawning occurred.

The Perez's tetras were restless and shy in this environment. Therefore, I believe they need sand at the bottom for spawning. There are many aquarists who have observed spawning in community tanks – the dominant male defends his territory, similar to what we see with piranhas. I assume that my fish spawned in the sand, with the male alternating between two females, which in my opinion were probably the best prepared for spawning. The remaining two females did not show much sign of readiness to spawn.

2. Short-finned tetra with cherry spot. Socolof's tetra.

The second species that was discovered in small streams near Barcelos in Brazil was Megalamphodus socolofi. It was imported to the USA in 1971, but was sold under the name of the preceding species. Even then, WEITZMAN noticed the fish in a zoo store in Washington, the fish seemed somewhat different from the previously known Perez's tetras.

Only in 1977 did he describe them as a new species and give them their current name. This species can be most easily distinguished from Megalamphodus erythrostigmus primarily based on the fact that adult males do not have their dorsal and caudal fins as elongated. Therefore, the species is sometimes referred to by aquarists as short-finned. Males have dorsal and caudal finlets only slightly more elongated than those of females. Compared to the previous species, this one is rather smaller and does not have such pronounced red-pink coloration.

But even among individual members of this species, there are certain color differences, apparently depending on the place of capture. It can be inferred that there are multiple color variants, but a more detailed examination of the geographical conditions is lacking. Perhaps one could then consider the existence of multiple species. The fish described by WEITZMAN were caught in 1976 in the vicinity of Barcelos. In 1980, GÉRY found Megalamphodus cf. socolofialso in Rio Curuá do Sul about 20 km above the confluence with Rio Curuá Una. This is a location south of the Amazon about 50 km southeast of Santarém. Breeding was successful according to BAENSCHE and RIEHL (1993).

I cannot confirm such a statement myself. I know many experienced breeders who have bred and raised other demanding species. Many times they have attempted to breed this fish, alternating various conditions for spawning including feeding, but to no effect. The fact is that females in captivity and with good feeding and quality water fill up well, more easily than with the previous species. As is the case with the previous species, they spawn spontaneously in community aquariums, but after being transferred to a breeding tank, these behaviors cease. According to information from friends, breeding has been successful in the past for some aquarists from the former GDR. I personally have "suffered" through 2 spawnings with the raising of several individuals.

3. Cherry barb tetra with a cherry spot. Burgess's tetra.

The third type is Megalamphodus pyrrhonotus, which was described only in 1993 by ichthyologist Dr. Warren BURGESS. This fish comes from the northern area of Rio Negro – from Rio Erere. Earlier, a new species was known (Dr. M.GOULDING) based on an expedition to the Rio Erere area. Its mouth is approximately 130 km in a straight line northwest of Barcelos. These two locations of the last two species are not that far apart. It may also involve more closely related species than currently thought. The main difference in coloration compared to the previous ones is the distinct red coloration of the dorsal areas, as well as the fact that the body is more elongated than in both previous species.

I had fish at home for several years. Although they were in very good condition, cheerful, and readily accepted a varied diet of both live and artificial food, I did not observe any signs of females being filled with eggs. Rather, I suspected that the fish were spawning continuously in the communal aquarium, where there were plenty of opportunities, especially a large root densely covered with Java moss. This consistently attracted the dominant male, who did not allow his rivals near it.

Summary of breeding conditions

All three of these types are beautiful aquarium fish. The first two can reach up to 70 mm in length, according to some reports (e.g. PINTÉR) Megalamphodus erythrostigmus can reach up to 90 mm. Megalamphodus socolofi and Megalamphodus pyrrhonotus they definitely reach smaller dimensions, which usually do not exceed 60 mm.

Notes on breeding and observation from practice

All three of these types have similar breeding requirements. These include large aquariums with plenty of plant nooks for hiding opportunities. Quality water at a temperature of 22-26 °C. In food, although they are typical omnivores, they prefer mosquito larvae, plankton.

Males are territorial in adulthood across all species, provided they have the conditions in the aquarium to display their life behaviors. In the presence of other and smaller tetras, when I kept all three species in one aquarium, the males dominated. Megalamphodus erythrostigmus. The most submissive were the males Megalamphodus socolofi.

In any case, these are fish that will delight even casual observers with their beauty, who know little about aquaristics.

List of images

1. Adult male of the species Megalamphodus erythrostigmus.
2. Adult female Megalamphodus erythrostigmus.
3. In the aquarium, frequent and harmless fights occur between the males Megalamphodus erythrostigmus
4. In the communal aquarium, the male often attracts the female for spawning.
5. A couple of adults Megalamphodus erythrostigmus, female in the foreground.
6. Adult male of the species Megalamphodus socolofi.
7. Adult female Megalamphodus socolofi
8. In the conditions of this approximately 40-liter incubator, the author tried the swab Megalamphodus socolofiI
9. Adult male Megalamphodus pyrrhonotus
10. Adult female Megalamphodus pyrrhonotus.
11. Tetras with a cherry spot are majestic fish suitable for the company of large cichlids, in our case angelfish.
12. Males of Perez's tetras often swim through the aquarium and measure each other's proportions.
13. South American cichlids are also suitable for keeping with these beautiful tetras.
14. Despite their size, capercaillies and cherry-spotted grouse can be kept together with smaller grouse.