
Bleeding heart tetra
Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma · Characidae
Also known as Bleeding heart
Intermediate
A deep-bodied tetra with a red heart-shaped spot; needs a larger shoal than most.
- Minimum tank
- 150 L
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C
- pH
- 5.5–7.2
- Adult size
- 7 cm
- Group size
- 8+
Will it fit your tank?
Sign in and AquaLog compares Bleeding heart tetra against every tank you track — volume, water type, temperature and pH — then adds it to your livestock in one tap.
Sign in to check my tanksCare requirements
- Minimum tank volume
- 150 L
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C
- pH
- 5.5–7.2
- Hardness
- 2–15 dGH
- Lifespan
- 3–6 years
- Diet
- Omnivore — flake, pellets, frozen bloodworm.
- Care level
- Intermediate
Origin & habitat
- Native region
- Upper Amazon basin
- Water type
- Freshwater
- Biotope
- Shaded blackwater tributaries
- Natural conditions
- Soft acidic water with leaf litter and dim light.
Behaviour & stocking
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Minimum group
- 8 fish
- Swims
- Mid-water
- Good tank mates
- CorydorasAngelfishApistogramma
- Avoid
- Very small tanksAggressive barbs
Breeding & difficulty
- Breeding difficulty
- Advanced
- Sexing
- Males have a sickle-shaped dorsal fin.
- Notes
- Rarely bred; needs very soft water.
- Common ailments
- IchBacterial infectionNipping in small groups