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Bleeding-heart tetra (Hyphessobrycon socolofi) — Characidae

Bleeding-heart tetra

Hyphessobrycon socolofi
Family: Characidae

The Bleeding-heart tetra (Hyphessobrycon socolofi) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The bleeding-heart tetra is a characin (Characidae) from blackwater rivers of the upper Amazon region in South America. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a deep, silver-pink body with a conspicuous red spot on the flank over the heart, to which it owes its name. It lives in schools in soft, clear water and eats small insects, larvae and plant material. The fish is harmless to humans and is loved in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bleeding-heart tetra?

The Bleeding-heart tetra has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly pink-purple.

Where does the Bleeding-heart tetra live?

The Bleeding-heart tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Bleeding-heart tetra get?

The Bleeding-heart tetra grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Bleeding-heart tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Bleeding-heart tetra is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bloedend-hart-tetra sourced
English name
Bleeding-heart tetra sourced
Scientific name
Hyphessobrycon socolofi
Family
Characidae
Other names
Spotfin tetra verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.6 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Hyphessobrycon

More from the family Characidae

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