Common name
Amapá tetra
Scientific name
Hyphessobrycon amapaensis
Category
Freshwater fish
Group
Tetras and characins
Environment
Freshwater aquarium
Origin
Known from the type locality in Amapá State, Brazil, in small savanna creeks over sand and gravel
Care level
Intermediate
Adult size
Up to 3.0 cm standard length
Expected lifespan
A dependable species-specific maximum was not located; plan for about 3–5 years of stable shoaling care.
Minimum housing
At least 60 litres for a group of ten or more, with open swimming space and cover
Temperature
24–27 °C
pH
5.3–6.5
Hardness / minerals
1–5 °dGH (about 18–89 mg/L as CaCO3); keep KH low but stable
Salinity
Freshwater; no routine salt addition
Lighting
Subdued to normal with shaded plant or wood cover
Placement / zone
Middle water
Filtration
Use mature gentle biological filtration with guarded intakes and low-to-moderate flow. Preserve shaded planted or leaf-litter margins while preventing fine food and debris from accumulating.
Aeration
Maintain reliable surface exchange without turning the whole aquarium into turbulent water. Increase aeration during warm weather, treatment or any sign of group respiratory stress.
Maintenance
Perform small regular matched-water changes, remove uneaten fine food, clean mechanical capture gently, preserve soft-water stability and monitor shoaling, colour, body condition and feeding access.

Identity and search names

Do not confuse with similarly striped Hyphessobrycon species. Locality and diagnostic features matter.

Search names: Amapa tetra, Red line tetra, Scarlet tetra

Environment and housing

Fine sand, leaf litter, plants or wood, shaded refuge and open swimming lanes.

Social structure: Keep ten or more to support normal shoaling and reduce stress.

Feeding and nutrition

Feeding ecology: Small omnivore; fine prepared foods and small frozen or live invertebrates

Feeding routine: One or two measured feeds daily; adapt to body condition and species ecology

Breeding, reproduction or spread

Egg-scattering characin; dependable species-specific captive details are limited. Use a separate breeding aquarium if attempted.

Detailed care and app-ready planning

Identity scope
Do not confuse with similarly striped Hyphessobrycon species. Locality and diagnostic features matter.
Adult size and space
Although only 3 cm SL, it needs group space and stable water rather than a tiny container.
Social structure
Keep ten or more to support normal shoaling and reduce stress.
Swimming zone or placement
Primarily middle water.
Feeding ecology
Consumes small aquatic invertebrates and other fine organic foods.
Feeding plan
Feed small portions once or twice daily and verify shy fish receive appropriately sized food.
Water stability
Very soft water has little buffering. Use measured preparation and avoid sudden pH correction.
Habitat structure
Fine sand, leaf litter, plants or wood, shaded refuge and open swimming lanes.
Compatibility plan
Avoid large predatory fish, aggressive fin nippers and fast feeders that monopolise food.
Breeding or reproduction plan
Use soft acidic water, fine spawning substrate and remove adults after spawning if eggs are at risk.
Quarantine
Quarantine in a cycled soft-water aquarium and monitor for wasting, gill stress and feeding failure.
Welfare checks
Check shoaling, colour, respiration, body condition, fin damage and feeding access.
Biosecurity and release
Never release fish, eggs, water, plants or sediment. Check current Australian and state rules before movement or sale.
Main risk
Keeping a very small shoaling fish in too small a group or with competitive tank mates.
Adult projected load
Each fish is small, but a proper group of ten or more plus frequent fine food can foul a small soft-water system quickly. Project load from the full adult shoal and limited buffering.
Filtration
Use mature gentle biological filtration with guarded intakes and low-to-moderate flow. Preserve shaded planted or leaf-litter margins while preventing fine food and debris from accumulating.
Aeration
Maintain reliable surface exchange without turning the whole aquarium into turbulent water. Increase aeration during warm weather, treatment or any sign of group respiratory stress.
Maintenance
Perform small regular matched-water changes, remove uneaten fine food, clean mechanical capture gently, preserve soft-water stability and monitor shoaling, colour, body condition and feeding access.
Overridable warnings
Non-overridable: keep a real shoal, protect stable soft-water chemistry and ensure every fish feeds. A different tank size or water preparation method is acceptable only when group space, buffering, oxygen and water quality remain safe.
Identity
A valid species from Amapá, Brazil. Red line tetra and scarlet tetra are aquarium search names.
Environment
Use a mature planted or wood-and-leaf-litter aquarium with shaded margins, gentle flow and open middle-water swimming room.
Feeding
Offer fine flakes or micro-pellets plus small frozen or live foods such as cyclops and baby brine shrimp.
Breeding
Egg-scattering characin; dependable species-specific captive details are limited. Use a separate breeding aquarium if attempted.
Adult size and space
Although only 3 cm SL, it needs group space and stable water rather than a tiny container.
Biosecurity and release
Never release fish, eggs, water, plants or sediment. Check current Australian and state rules before movement or sale.
Welfare Risk
Chronic hiding, starvation and osmotic stress from unstable soft water are the main welfare risks.

Compatibility, welfare and risk

Compatibility: Peaceful small fish and invertebrates that share warm soft acidic water

Welfare: Chronic hiding, starvation and osmotic stress from unstable soft water are the main welfare risks.

Main warning: Its tiny adult size makes it vulnerable to large tank mates, strong flow and food competition.

Biosecurity and release

Never release fish, eggs, water, plants or sediment. Check current Australian and state rules before movement or sale.

Sources