Hyphessobrycon elachys
The Hyphessobrycon elachys is naturally found in the Paraguay River basin, which flows through Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina, South America. The fish can be found in shallows, with shallow currents, heavily overgrown with a variety of aquatic vegetation. Very often these fish can be found in the dwarf corydoras community (Corydoras hastatus). The reed tetra is capable of enhancing any aquarium considerably, despite its tiny size. Recommended for experienced aquarists.
Hyphessobrycon elachys has a translucent body with a silvery sheen. At the root of the tail plumage has a fairly large dark spot, bordered by two small white spots above and below. Sexually mature males have elongated dorsal and anal fin rays. The females have a rounded abdomen. Fish reach up to 2.5 cm in size in nature, while in aquariums they usually do not exceed 2 cm.
The Hyphessobrycon elachys has an active lifestyle, being on the move almost all the time. The fish are gregarious, which is why they should be kept in an aquarium in a group of at least 6-10. For such a number of fish is enough aquarium volume of 50 liters.
A large number of different shelters in the form of snags and stones should be placed at the bottom of the aquarium. Various aquarium plants should be planted around the perimeter of the aquarium to create dense thickets. Several bushes of floating plants should be placed preferably on the water surface. Co-existence with smaller, peace-loving fish in a common aquarium is possible. Add fish in the aquarium only after it installed in a biological equilibrium.
Water parameters: temperature 23-28° C, hardness dH 1-15°, pH 5,5-7,5. Filtration and aeration of the water is necessary. We recommend placing pieces of peat in the water filter element.
The lighting is of medium intensity. Allow about 10 hours of daylight per day.
Apply fine, dark coloured gravel as substrate. It is against a dark ground tetra elachys be able to fully demonstrate their attractiveness.
The diet of the fish consists of a variety of dry pellets and flakes. The fish are also fed with live and frozen food such as Artemia, Daphnia, Tubifex and chironomid. Feed the fish twice a day.
Reproduction
Achieving spawning Hyphessobrycon elachys relatively easy. Sometimes fish spawn in the same aquarium, where they live all the time, but the percentage of surviving fry in this case is negligible, because the fish do not mind to eat their eggs.
In order to maintain the number of potential fry, spawners should be planted in the spawning tank. Initially, females and males are fed abundantly with a variety of food. Javanese moss bushes are placed in the spawning tank. Producers are launched into the spawning tank in the evening, and already at dawn females begin to spawn. Lighting is unnecessary during spawning, as the eggs are very susceptible to light.
Immediately after spawning, the producers are removed and the spawning tank is shaded.
The hatched fry are fed with Artemia nauplii.
The life expectancy of the Hyphessobrycon elachys under aquarium conditions is 3-4 years.
